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COPmiGHT DEPOSICl 



Putnam's Household 
Handbook 



By 

Mae Savell Croy / 



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G. P. Putnam's Sons 

New York and London 

C:be Iknickerbocftet press 

1916 

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Copyright, 19 i6 
MAE SAVELL CROY <^ 



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OCT 13 1916 



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PREFACE 

These hints are put together in book form with 
the hope that they may do as much toward reliev- 
ing the strain of housework for other women as 
they have for the author. Where there is more 
than one way suggested for shortening a particular 
task, the reader can take her choice. No doubt 
the method used in one suggestion will prove 
satisfactory to one woman, while someone else 
will approve of another way of doing the same 
thing. Hence, as many ways as could be found 
are included for accomplishing the same end. 

The book is classified and indexed as carefully 
as possible to make it easy to refer to a subject. 
The building hints are all practical, many of them 
being incorporated in our own home. 

General housework and cooking are such hard 
labor that anyone who knows of a way to lighten 
them should, it seems to me, pass the word along 
to someone else, and it is earnestly hoped that 
there will be something in these suggestions that 
will benefit everyone who reads them. 

In giving hints for the care of the invalid, it is 

iii 



iv Preface 

not the purpose to come within the bounds of the 
medical profession except with regards to such 
simple remedies as any mother may use without 
danger. 

That part devoted to the care of children is 
necessarily limited in scope. There are awaiting 
classification enough practical hints on this vital 
topic to fill a whole volume and it is the aim of the 
author to put them into shape as soon as possible. 
There are so many things to be said with reference 
to children and no two children in a family are 
to be treated in the same manner. 

The aim of this voltime is brevity. The author 
has tried aU the way through to present the sug- 
gestions in such form that they can be taken in 
at a glance when one is hurriedly looking for a 
remedy or a way. When work is waiting to be 
done, the busy housewife has not the time to read 
page after page for a suggestion, and it is with the 
thought of reUeving her strain and not prolonging 
it, that the idea of the book was first conceived. 

M. S. C. 
Jime 6, 1916. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

ARCHITECTURAL IDEAS: 

When Building a House . . . i 

Ser\4ce Department 
The CeUar 
The Bedrooms 
The Porch 
Miscellaneous 

INTERIOR DECORATION: 

Making a Home . . . 24 

Wall Paper, Woodwork, Draperies, etc. 

SYSTEMATIC HOUSEWORK : 

Organization . . . . .46 

With the Aid of a Gymnasium Suit . 53 

In the Kitchen 

Windows and Mirrors 

Silver and Other Metals 

Woodwork and Marble 

The Floors 

Curtains, Carpets, Draperies, etc. 

Furniture 

MODERN CONVENIENCES: 

Articles which Effect a Saving in Labor 76 



vi Contents 

PAGE 

COOKING: 

Utilizing and Preserving Foods , 98 

Fowl, Meat, and Fish 

Eggs 

Vegetables 

Pastry, Desserts, Nuts, Fruits 

Beverages 

Odors 

The Gas Bill 

Kitchen Conveniences 

Miscellaneous 

THE CHILDREN: 

Their Care 135 

General Health 

Teeth and Eyes 

Food 

Clothing 

Development of the Mind 

Conveniences 

Entertainment 

CLOTHING: 

Cleansing and Sewing. . . .171 
Miscellaneous 

To Remove Scorch, Clean Silks, Woolens, etc. 
Fruit, Rust, and Ink Stains, etc. 
Gloves, Hats, and Laces, etc. 
Shoes 
Furs 

Dyeing Goods and Setting Colors 
Sewing 



Contents vii 

PAGB 

IN THE SICK-ROOM: 

Some Suggestions FOR THE Invalid . 211 
Ten Health Commandments 
General 
Disinfectants 
Food and Drink 
Colds 
Poisons 

SANITATION: 

Sanitary Hints 230 

PERSONAL APPEARANCE: 

The Treatment of the Body — The Hair, 
Eyes, Throat, — Relaxation, — Improv- 
ing THE Mind 235 

The Teeth 
The Skin 
Bodily Odors 
The Hair 

VISITING 255 

GARDENING: 

The Kitchen Garden . - . . 260 
The Care of Plants 
Cut Flowers 
Vegetables 
To Get Rid of Pests 
Novelties in the Garden 

MISCELLANEOUS HOUSEHOLD HINTS . 285 

INDEX 305 

BLANK PAGES FOR PERSONAL NOTES 

following last page 



1000 Shorter Ways Around 
the House 



ARCHITECTURAL IDEAS 

WHEN BUILDING A HOUSE 

Efficiency in house building is the first step 
toward eflBciency in housekeeping and a good start 
in home making. Not to be prepared for house- 
keeping brings to mind the old story of the car- 
penter without proper tools. Only during recent 
years has woman awakened to the fact, which 
man realized generations ago, that to get the best 
results with the least effort makes for efficiency, 
and that one is rewarded for the little extra expense 
by the increased amount of work which can be 
done. All modern offices are fitted with the neces- 
sary equipment for good work and any office that 
is not so equipped sooner or later spells failure for 
the business. The kitchen of the average house- 



2 Architectural Ideas 

wife contains just enough pots and pans to cook a 
square meal, and no more. So while the husband 
keeps young and fresh and energetic and has a 
young figure, the wife becomes weary and worn 
from the multitudinous details of which she could 
so easily be relieved. And it is seldom the hus- 
bands who begrudge the extra expense for properly 
fitting out a house. They realize from their own 
experience that comfort pays. 

The first work in preparing an efficient kitchen 
is done by the architect on sheets of blue paper. 
Let us hope that every family who builds a house 
has on its architectural staff the woman who is to 
be its mistress. She, better than anyone, can tell 
where is the most convenient place for the loca- 
tion of cupboards, closets, range, and icebox. She 
it is who has to work with the tools and she it is 
who should decide where they are to be placed. 
The architect must of necessity be consulted, and 
his advice heeded, for a layman cannot foresee 
the difficulties to be encountered by the builders 
in impractical arrangements, and in a small house 
there must always be the sacrifice of some ideas. 
Often it is a case of giving up one thing in order to 
have another, and the benefits of each point should 
be carefully weighed before a decision is made. 

Wherever possible place the best rooms, the 



Architectural Ideas 



living-room, bedrooms, and dining-room, on the 
south and west sides of the house. The bathrooms, 
halls, and kitchen and rooms little used should be 
given a northern exposure. In a room which has 
a northern and eastern exposure, or a northern and 
western, the largest windows should be on the 
east or west, respectively, as there will be little or 
no sunlight from the north. 

A suburban house should never be without a 
living porch and it should be placed on the south 
side of the house if it possibly can be managed. 
A southern exposure insures all the cooling breezes 
in the summer and is warmer in the winter. If the 
porch is glassed in and a radiator put in, it can be 
used as a sun parlor during even the coldest 
months. Bookshelves built in will add to the cozi- 
ness of effect and curtains at the windows will make 
of it another room. Casement windows will prove 
economical as they can be closed during a summer 
rain and thus protect the furniture, and they will 
also permit of fresh air in the winter, while set 
in windows are a good deal of trouble to take out 
and put up. 

In planning windows and doors for bedrooms 
the location of the furniture should be taken into 
consideration. How often rooms are planned 
with no place provided for a bed! For those who 



4 Architectural Ideas 

like a bed to set out in the middle of the floor, 
instead of back in the corner, care should be 
taken that it does not have to be placed against 
the window, or a strong draft will be the result. The 
wall spaces should be planned with a view to the 
furniture to be placed in the room. High windows 
will afford more wall space ; and on the second and 
third floors the view is not of so much importance. 

To make of a house a home, it is not really 
necessary to have an open fireplace, but if one is 
provided, the home is there. Wood in some 
locaUties is a rather expensive fuel but it will not 
be burned constantly where there is a furnace in 
the house and the cost at the end of the winter 
will not be great. A damper which can be oper- 
ated from the outside should be installed, thus 
avoiding having to run the risk of filling the hair 
and eyes with soot^ in looking up the chimney. 
This should be put in at the time the chimney is 
built and the little handle placed in a not too 
conspicuous position on the outside. An ash 
dump is most valuable as it saves not only the 
labor of removing the ashes but saves the carpet 
and furniture from ashes as well. 

Cupboards in the kitchen should be placed 
within easy access of the range and working table, 
and there should be plenty of them. If the doors 



Architectural Ideas 



to the cupboards are made to slide instead of to 
open out into the room they will save the kitchen 
worker many a bump and will not be in the way. 
Glass doors make the kitchen attractive but every 
pane of glass adds to the kitchen labor. A very 
desirable feature is a closet of as large dimensions 
as possible near the kitchen wall, with a door cut 
through on the outside to enable the grocer, the 
milkman, the baker, and other tradesmen to place 
their supplies on a shelf in the closet, without hav- 
ing to ring the doorbell. If this closet is large 
enough for pots and pans, with a corner for brooms, 
these unsightly articles will be well disposed of. 
If it is not large enough, then an extra closet some- 
where else in the room will never be regretted. 

The icebox should be placed where it will not 
get the heat from the kitchen range. The best 
arrangement is to place it near the outer wall and 
have a side door cut to permit the iceman to place 
the ice in the ice chamber from the outside, thus 
saving the floor from his dirty wet footsteps. If 
this outer door is provided with a chain to hold it 
partly open during the winter months, the ice bill 
for this period will be nil, and in a short time the 
saving in ice will pay for the extra expense of 
the door. The most sanitary way of draining the 
icebox is to have it connected by a pipe with a 



6 Architectural Ideas 

small sink in the cellar. This sink should drain 
into the sewer. To drain the pipe direct from 
icebox to sewer will result in sewer gas rising and 
filling the icebox and poisoning the food. 

A garbage chute from the kitchen (in close prox- 
imity to the sink) to the out-of-doors is a splendid 
device and will save going out on a cold winter 
morning to deposit refuse. This chute should be 
lined with zinc and should be scalded every few 
days with boiling hot water in which washing soda 
has been dissolved. To sprinkle chloride of lime 
around the garbage pail will tend to keep away 
flies. The pail should be covered tightly as a sure 
preventative of flies carrying poisonous refuse. 

A speaking tube from the kitchen to the second 
and third floors can be put in at a very slight cost. 
Another very practical and most highly appreci- 
ated device is a dumb-waiter. This is not a very 
expensive item if put into the first plans. Thought 
should be given to its location on each floor and it 
should run from the basement to the attic. At 
each floor the doors should open where most 
convenient and sliding doors are an advantage 
over the doors which open outward. 

The kitchen sink placed near the pantry wall 
and a sliding door cut through that dishes may be 
placed in the pantry while standing at the sink 



Architectural Ideas 7 

will save the cost of an extra sink in the pantry, 
and this means one sink instead of two to keep 
clean. A grooved wooden drain board should be 
placed on each side of the sink. To put the radi- 
ator under the sink will save floor space, but if this 
is not practical from the standpoint of the pipe- 
fitters this same space will be found valuable for 
cupboards. 

In choosing a range, remember : that a high oven 
saves the back; a warming closet saves gas; a 
glass door to the oven saves food from burning, 
or cakes from falling, and a steel covered top saves 
labor. A spice shelf near the range will save many 
steps while cooking, while a rack of hooks for 
spoons, forks, and other small articles within easy 
access will be foimd indispensable after having 
once been used. A rack in an inconspicuous 
place for the dish towels will go far toward keeping 
a sightly, attractive kitchen. 

If possible, the wall should be painted, and a 
glossy enamel paint, easily washed, should be 
used. Of course, if expense is not to be considered, 
tile is preferable but this material will run up the 
cost of the kitchen. 

Below are a list of conveniences which it will 
be worth while for the housebuilder to study over 
before completing his blueprints. 



8 Architectural Ideas 

SERVICE DEPARTMENT 

A closet recessed in the kitchen or pantry wall 
with a door both on the outside and the inside will 
save many steps, as it enables the tradespeople 
to place goods through it without having to ring 
the bell, as well as serving the purpose of a milk 
closet to save going outside for the milk on a cold 
winter morning/ . 

A hroom closet and a pot closet for the kitchen 
are marks of efficiency in housekeeping. 

Be sure to build plenty of cupboards in the 
kitchen and pantry, and in the basement, for stor- 
ing supplies. There cannot be too many. 

China closets built in the dining-room save space 
and are far more economical than those to be 
bought. They can be made very attractive and 
the decoration should harmonize with the furni- 
ture, or the other woodwork in the room. 

A box seat on the kitchen porch to hide unsightly 
articles will add much to the attractiveness of the 
back-door view, and a flower box fastened to the 
kitchen window will make it very easy to care 
for plants. 



Architectural Ideas 9 

The kitchen sink, the basins, and the laundry 
tubs should be set at a carefully designated height. 
The average sink and basin are set so low as to 
cause backache. 

For the sum of ten cents there can be purchased 
at almost any department store a round rubber 
mat three or four inches in diameter, and having a 
ring inserted for a handle, to place over the sink 
outlet and retain the water. This makes easy the 
washing of vegetables and dishes when plenty of 
water is needed. 

A sink which has a strainer and a stopper will 
hold water and saves bothering with a dish 
pan. 

Where a pantry sink is too great a luxury, the 
kitchen sink should be placed near the pantry 
wall, if possible, and an opening, with a sliding 
door, cut into the wall. Dishes can then be 
washed in the kitchen and put through on a table 
or dresser in the pantry, saving many steps. 

A drain board for each side of the sink is a neces- 
sity and it should be grooved and have a railing 
around the edge. Never use a metal or porcelain 
drain board if you value your dishes. 



10 Architectural Ideas 

A sink that slants toward the center is much 
easier to clean than one which has a perfectly 
level base. 

A radiator in the dining-room containing a 
warming closet will be found of great service in 
keeping warm the desserts and other dishes which 
one wishes to have handy. 

The kitchen radiator should be placed imder the 
drain board out of the way. 

A radiator can be purchased in the form of 
shelves for keeping plates warm before serving a 
meal. 

An outside wall opening for ice and an extra 
door cut in the icebox saves the floor from the 
dirty footsteps of the iceman and effects a saving 
in ice in the winter, as all that is necessary to keep 
the food sufficiently cold is to leave the doors 
partly open, with a wire attached to the door and 
the box to keep the door from being blown loose 
from the hinges. 

A screened box just below the pantry window 
will give all the air necessary for preserving many 
articles of food and saves refrigerator space. 



Architectural Ideas ii 

A small shelf over the kitchen range for holding 
salt, pepper, and spices will be found most con- 
venient. 

A garbage chute from the kitchen to the outside, 
lined with metal, saves one from running out in 
the cold unprepared on wintry days. 

A speaking tube from kitchen to second and 
third floors is a saving in time and temper. 

A dumb-waiter once used will never be sacrificed. 
It saves time and energy. In connection with the 
speaking tube it is indispensable. 

A hinged table flap against the wall in a kitchen 
or pantry where space is valuable takes the place 
of a table which is not needed at all times. 

A bread board inserted in the pantry dresser, just 
over the drawers, which pulls out when it is in use 
and slides back when not needed is a great con- 
venience. 

The swing door between the dining-room and 
the butler's pantry should have a hinge that will 
hold it open by merely pushing it back. 

If there is a beautiful view from the dining- 
room be sure to plan the windows low enough to 



12 Architecttiral Ideas 

get the benefit of it. A pretty scene while eating 
adds to the relish for food. 

THE CELLAR 

A pulley line connected from the laundry to a 
pole outside will prevent many bad colds. A 
casement window is advisable for convenience 
in using the Une. 

A laundry should be supplied with three tubs 
if you would facilitate the washing. 

To provide cross windows in the laundry makes 
it a very pleasant room in which to work. 

If a furnace is installed in which pea coal can 
be used, the coal bill will be materially reduced. 
If used alone pea coal falls through most grates, 
but if the fire is built with coke and pea coal put 
on top of this the fire can be kept going at a third 
less cost than with ordinary fuel. When sifted 
coal declines to burn, a Httle pea coal mixed with 
it will lend a helping hand and it will be consumed 
to the last available bit. 

I To cover the furnace and the hot water pipes 

with a coating of asbestos will effect a saving in 
heat. 



Architectural Ideas 13 

Line the door from the coal bin with heavy tarred 
paper to prevent coal dust from coming through 
and flying all over the cellar. 

An instantaneous hot water heater will prove 
invaluable. It insures boiling hot water at all 
hours and is not expensive in comparison to the 
comfort afforded. It should be attached to the 
furnace in order to have the water heated before 
the instantaneous connection is brought into play. 
This will reduce the cost considerably. 

A thermostat connected with the furnace will 
prove valuable in regulating the heat. 

An ash dump to the cellar prevents having to 
spade up ashes more than once a season. 

A lavatory and a toilet for the maid and laundress 
in the basement will prove to be an immense 
comfort. 

A storage room built under an unexcavated 
porch is an excellent place for storing vegetables 
and preserved fruit. This makes the most de- 
sirable of cold-storage closets. 

A rack six inches high in the cellar makes a good 
place for storing trunks, boxes, and other things 
that might mold if set on the cement floor. A 



14 Architectural Ideas 

wooden platform should be built under tubs if 
the laundry is in the basement. 

For health and comfort, the cellar floor should 
slant, draining into the sewer from a central slant. 
This will enable one to wash the floor and dry it 
readily, and will also keep it drained from any 
possible dampness. 

By placing iron bars at cellar windows the entire 
cellar can be left open and no fear of burglars. 
This will help greatly in having a dry cellar. 

If the furnace is not too near, an opening 
through the floor to a wood box in the living-room 
will save lugging wood from cellar to fireplace. If 
the furnace is in close proximity, there should be 
a dust-proof trapdoor over the opening, or the 
room will never be free from coal dust. 

THE BEDROOMS 

Box seats in bedrooms, supplied with skirt trays, 
constitute a saving in the purchase of furniture 
and are extremely satisfactory. A box seat near 
an open fireplace is indispensable for holding wood 
and can be made into a very attractive seat. 

Drawers built back under the roof gables make 
valuable storage space. 



Architectural Ideas 15 

Where the roof slants to form a wall of a room, 
a pretty feature is to recess a bookcase back under 
it, so that the backs of the books will be flush with 
the wall. 

A linen closet is seldom omitted from building 
plans but many do not think to build box seats 
in bay windows for holding blankets and quilts. 

A hatbox should not be omitted from the closet 
or dressing-room. See that it is large enough for 
more than one hat. 

Slat doors for the bedrooms give splendid venti- 
lation. 

Shelves in closets and poles underneath for hang- 
ing coat hangers are a great comfort. 

A mirror in a closet door is less expensive than 
a pier glass and takes up no extra room. 

Shutters or awnings at bedroom windows afford 
comfort during the early morning hours when the 
Sim comes streaming in to disttub sleep. 

Lights in the bathrooms and bedrooms should 
be carefully planned, with a view to shaving, 
reading, and dressing. 



1 6 Architectural Ideas 

THE PORCH 

Shelves on the porch and under the dining-room 
windows for holding flower pots form a decorative 
corner the year round at Httle expense. 

The larger the porch the more desirable the home. 
If built on the side or at the rear, privacy is more 
likely to be insured. 

A porch should whenever possible be placed on 
the south side as this means warmth in winter and 
coolness in summer. 

If a porch is semi-enclosed^ to be glassed in for 
the winter, it will make a delightful sun-parlor 
and will be in constant use, saving wear and tear 
on the living-room. 

A radiator should be installed on all sleeping 
porches that are glassed in. 

Porch floors of cement, marked off in six-inch 
squares, are easy to clean and never wear out. 

When there is an upstairs balcony, a door cut 
to open on it provides an excellent place for airing 
clothes and sunning beds. This also makes a 
splendid location for the children's sand-box. 



Architectural Ideas 17 

Canvas, such as is used on the decks of ships, 
is a good covering for an exposed porch, if the 
floor be of wood. 

Deep box seats on the back porch for hiding the 
garbage pail, for storing gardening tools, etc., will 
make a much more sightly place of the back 
entrance. 

A useful idea in porch furniture is to have a shelf 
inside the porch rail, about one foot wide and one 
foot from the floor. The men will find it an 
excellent foot-rest ; the women, a shelf for work 
baskets or books; and it is just what the little 
ones want to sit on. 

Ordinary wire screens for windows and doors 
afford no protection from prying eyes. This can 
be remedied by giving the outside of all screens 
a good coat of thin white paint. The paint will 
not be noticeable, strange as it may seem, and 
while those on the inside may look out, outsiders 
cannot see into the room or porch. The paint 
should be made as thin as possible with turpentine 
and applied with a broad flat brush. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Electric light plugs put in at the time of building, 
to use for electric lights, electric stoves, toasters, 



1 8 Architectural Ideas 

etc., are much cheaper than to have them installed 
later. 

A light over an entrance door is a happy little 
accessory much appreciated when opening the 
door late at night to a stranger. 

Three-way switches which permit an electric 
light to be turned on at the first floor by a plug 
on the second, and vice versa, are almost indis- 
pensable after having been once used. 

Electric light fixtures of oxidized metal will not 
have to be polished as will brass or silvered 
ones. 

Built-in bookcases are less expensive than ready- 
made ones, are more cozy, and if painted to har- 
monize with the decorations are most attractive. 
Placed near the fireplace, they suggest comfort 
in great degree. 

A cedar closet will save storage bills. 

Drawers built at the bottom of bookcases make 
a most convenient place for storing old magazines 
which are lying around in the way but which 
one does not wish to throw away. 

To hinge the lower stair makes a good receptacle 
for overshoes. 



Architecttiral Ideas 19 

A corner of the linen closet made into a receptacle 
for brooms, dust cloths, etc., for the second story 
will save many steps in the course of a month. 

A medicine cabinet recessed into the wall in the 
bathroom takes up little room. One of enameled 
metal with glass shelves is an improvement over 
the old wooden cabinet. 

Cross windows, or windows on two sides of a 
room, make for air and coolness on the hottest 
nights. 

Transoms over windows and doors give freer 
circulation in the winter and yet avoid drafts. 

In a small room, where window lights are neces- 
sarily small, the value of casement windows in 
providing double the amount of air cannot be 
overlooked. 

Living-rooms placed on the south side of the house 
are warmer in winter and cooler in summer. 
Whenever possible, the north side should be saved 
for halls, bathrooms, and rooms little used. 

Window panes of one piece are much easier to 
clean than many small panes in one window. 

Baseboard molding rounded at corners makes 
sweeping an easier task. 



20 Architectural Ideas 

Picture molding in a room with a low ceiling 
should be placed near the ceiling. This gives the 
effect of a higher ceiling than if placed twelve 
inches from the top. 

A tiled bathroom or kitchen is easiest to clean, 
but if that is not feasible, the walls painted with 
an enamel paint having a glazed surface will serve 
very well indeed. 

Nickel plumbing trimming does not require the 
cleaning which must be given to copper or brass. 

A bathtub set in the floor is more expensive than 
the old-fashioned tub but if it can be afforded it 
will facilitate cleaning the bathroom floor. 

A wash basin and toilet somewhere on the first 
floor are great conveniences for guests and for the 
children. 

A bathroom that can be locked only from the 
inside is likely to cause inconvenience and perhaps 
trouble. To avoid this, one systematic and 
thoughtful architect fltted in a spring lock which 
had a thumb piece on the inside and a key hole 
on the outside, the key to be left on the outside of 
the door. 

Galvanized iron pipes should never be put into 
a house to be used for water intended for cook- 



Architectural Ideas 21 

ing or drinking. It is better to avoid them 
altogether. 

Bathroom^ kitchen, and porch floors should be 
slanted in such manner that they can be drained 
into the gutter. They will then be very easily 
washed. The leader connecting to the gutter 
should be sufficiently large that it will not be easily 
clogged and where there is a ttirn, or elbow, it 
should be put on in such manner that it can be 
screwed off, or there should be a cap or plug at 
the turn so that any refuse which may happen to 
stick there may be readily removed. 

Sliding doors save wall space. 

Double doors, the outer one swinging out and 
the inner one swinging in, are as effective in keep- 
ing out the winter cold as the unsightly and much 
more unhandy '* storm entrances'' so commonly 
used. 

Metal weather stripping on all casement windows 
and doors on the north and east effects a great 
saving in the coal bill. 

Felt weather stripping, which is very inexpensive, 
for temporary use, stops up all cracks through 
which the cold wind seeps. 



22 Architectural Ideas 

Screens to slide up and down covering either 
the top or the bottom of the window at will are 
only a little more expensive than the old way of 
having them cover only half the window. 

If screens are installed that hook on, place extra 
hooks at the top of the window that the window 
may be opened from the top when desired, as well 
as from the bottom. 

A damper for the fireplace should never be 
omitted. 

French doors and windows make a room seem 
larger and form a very attractive mode of decora- 
tion if handled properly. 

If the house is too small to permit of a hack 
staircase, an arrangement forever to be appreciated 
is one where the maid can go from kitchen to 
front door and from kitchen to staircase without 
having to go through the living-room. 

When it is necessary to put screws in plaster walls 
and there is no woodwork available at the right 
place, enlarge the hole about twice the size of the 
screw, and insert a little plaster of Paris mixed 
with water; put the screw into this and it will set 
immediately and hold like iron. 



Architectural Ideas 23 

A linen chute is useftil though not necessary 
if a dumb-waiter is installed. 

A small window light in a coat closet will help 
to keep winter coats free from moths, and will 
afford air to clothing that might otherwise become 
somewhat musty. 

Sill cocks are not expensive and one at each end 
of the house means a saving in hose, and avoidance 
of handling a long unwieldy hose. 



INTERIOR DECORATION 

MAKING A HOME 

To make a home requires more than the house 
and a collection of furniture. It requires a vast 
amount of skill and taste, and purchases given a 
little forethought make a great difference in the 
surroundings. In furnishing the house, an apart- 
ment, or even one room, take plenty of time. 

First of all, plan for comfort. See that every 
chair, every couch, and every bed is comfortable. 
Put tables and bookshelves where they can be 
used with comfort. Place lights where the eyes 
will not be strained when reading, and in selecting 
sofa cushions see that they are of such material 
as will not be harmed by constant use. A good 
idea in working out a scheme is to draw a diagram 
of the various rooms showing windows and doors 
and the exposures, with the various pieces of 
furniture placed therein as you mean to have 
them. This will give a very good idea of space 
when purchasing and will save a great deal of an- 

24 



Interior Decoration 25 

noyance when it comes to receiving the furniture 
at home and possibly finding pieces that do not 
fit. 

You will consciously or unconsciously express 
your individuality and taste in your home — which 
is as it should be — so be sure that it is pleasing. 
Suitability and proportion are the two most im- 
portant factors in planning a home. It is to be 
hoped that the architect has seen to it that doors, 
windows and wall spaces have the proper balances, 
but if he has not done so, the evil can be remedied 
by selecting furniture to offset this disadvantage. 

Choose some one thing, a rug, a piece of furni- 
ture, or the fireplace, as a basis for your color 
scheme and select nothing which will jar with this 
keynote. Woodwork, furniture, and wall paper 
must harmonize if you would have a charming 
result. A glaring finish on woodwork will not be 
responsive to other soft and soothing effects. The 
woodwork should be so soft, so harmonious, that 
it will not obtrude itself upon the vision. A 
shiny floor effect gives to a room the same appear- 
ance that too many diamonds give to the person- 
ality. In a room which has mahogany woodwork, 
or stained birch to resemble mahogany, which is 
usually what is used, mahogany furniture is, of 
course, most appropriate. This doesn't mean 



26 Interior Decoration 

that every piece of furniture must necessarily be of 
mahogany. Willow furniture stained to suit the 
taste goes well when intermixed with heavier 
pieces of mahogany and will do much to lighten 
the appearance of a small room which might seem 
overcrowded if it contained only furniture of 
heavy solid pieces. Heavy pieces of furniture in a 
small room make the room tiresome and dull, and 
even a moderately large room will seem stuffy and 
crowded if it contains all furniture of heavy 
padded upholstery or great thick pieces for its 
frame. A small room can afford but one or at the 
most two heavy pieces of furniture. If the actual 
measurements of a room are marked on a diagram 
and a plan of the furniture also drawn thereon a 
good idea can be gained as to just what space will 
be occupied and the too heavy pieces can be dis- 
carded before having the bother of trying them out. 
The arrangement of furniture plays a most 
important part in the art of decorating. A small 
room with the furniture placed diagonally at 
intervals, without regard to space for moving 
around and for coziness of effect, will throw even 
a perfectly balanced room out of proportion. In a 
small room every foot of space shotild be considered 
and no heavy piece of furniture should be placed 
across a corner, as this will throw all the space 



Interior Decoration 27 

behind it into disuse. A center table tends to 
eliminate space and in most instances a table will 
appear to far greater advantage if placed at the 
side of the room. It is a pity to place furniture 
near the windows in such way that no view of the 
outside can be obtained. To group chairs near a 
window at just the right angle to view the out- 
doors will even seem to add space to the interior 
of the house. A bed placed near a window, if the 
window happens to be on the west, north, or south 
side of the house, often affords pleasure to the 
occupant, and in the case of invalids will provide 
entertainment by the hour. A bed should never 
be placed in such way that the strong morning 
light shines into the eyes. It is very distressing 
to most people to be awakened by a strong light. 

Bookcases built into a room give a cozy effect, 
particularly if they have open shelves, and they 
do not take up as much room as the ready-made 
bookcases. Extreme care should be exercised as 
to where they are placed. 

Wall paper should be selected first with regard 
to the exposure of the room for which it is intended 
and second with regard to the room which is its 
next-door neighbor. A north room should have a 
cheery, rich paper, or else have touches of color to 
brighten it. A room with a sunny exposure can 



28 Interior Decoration 

stand being greatly toned down and light gray, 
light green, white, and cream can be mixed with 
colors to splendid advantage. A very pretty 
effect for a north room is to use a very light paper, 
almost white, mahogany woodwork, mahogany 
furniture, and old English chintz draperies con- 
taining a quantity of red, yellow, and pretty blues. 
White woodwork and extremely dark paper present 
too great a contrast and hence give a shock to the 
observer. Whenever there is doubt as to just 
what furniture and draperies are to be used, a 
soft neutral shade is the only safe thing to select, 
and indeed neutral tints are safe at all times. 

The rooms of a large house can be treated 
individually to advantage but in a small apart- 
ment it is wise to choose the paper and furnish- 
ings that will not be in great contrast. Rather 
select those not in noticeable contrast to the 
person who goes from one room to the other. 
Wall paper, and articles in good taste always 
blend with the surroundings. 

What has been said of paper applies also to 
paint. A most beautiful effect in painted walls is 
to have the weight in color graduated from floor 
to ceiling. A dark shade at the floor, gradually 
growing lighter and lighter until reaching the 
stippled ceiling of creamy white, is used in a most 



Interior Decoration 29 

pleasing effect in a mixture of tan and golden 
brown. ''Keep your weight on the floor'* applies 
to painted walls as well as to the effect in general. 

Whenever practical the occupant of a room 
should be permitted to select the paper, for 
surroundings affect the personality. While one 
person may love a room done in a rich red, another 
may not be able to stay in a room so decorated. 
To many, a room having a light paper covered 
with heavy deep red roses produces a most un- 
pleasant effect. Heavy flowers on a light back- 
ground will give one the impression that they are 
falling. While to be showered with roses is not 
unpleasant, the constant expectation and never a 
realization doesn't produce at all a pleasing effect. 
Neutral colors are the most satisfactory to choose 
when the taste of the occupant is not known, and if 
a perfectly plain neutral paper is used pictures 
and other decoration may be added at will and 
almost any effect produced that is desired. Too 
much cannot be said in favor of neutral colors for 
backgrounds. 

And speaking of pictures. A room can be made 
or marred by the use of pictures. Discrimination 
in selection cannot be displayed to better advan- 
tage than by the small articles of decoration and 
the pictures which are hung constantly before 



30 Interior Decoration 

one's eyes. A picture should never be purchased 
to fill in a blank wall space. Pictures should be 
selected because they mean something. A good 
print of an old master will give satisfaction always 
while a cheap print in a gilded frame, placed 
where it does not harmonize, will cause an expen- 
sively furnished room to appear cheap and tawdry. 
If good pictures cannot be afforded at first, then 
let the walls remain bare until they can be. One 
very good idea for filling in blank wall spaces is to 
stencil a panel, or a border, on plain heavy wall- 
paper. This can easily be done in such manner 
that pictures can afterward be hung over the 
stenciling, or inside it with good effect. 

Lamps and candles will work wonders in decorat- 
ing a room. Two lamps, in a small room, and al- 
most any number in a large room, will not seem too 
many. A lamp with a rose shade setting bef orea win- 
dow will send a glow to the heart of a passer-by. 
By the use of lamp shades a dash of color can be 
effected, and a scheme can be carried to perfection 
with very little effort. If you have been fortunate 
enough to have a voice in the placing of the electric 
light outlets, you are blessed indeed, but if you 
have not, then careful thought during the furnish- 
ing will repay you. 

Flowers, too, when placed in attractive vases and 



Interior Decoration 31 

set around a room will change the whole keynote. 
And even in flowers care should be exercised. A 
room with a golden brown wall paper shows to 
great advantage a bunch of yellow chrysanthe- 
mums or daisies, mixed with autumn leaves or 
other green, while a magnificent bunch of American 
Beauty roses would be killed with the same back- 
ground. Fortunately anyone can have flowers who 
will give a little care to them. A potted plant is 
not expensive and requires little care after having 
once learned how to tend it. 

The rug is a very important feature in a room. 
Here again the old rule of keeping your weight on 
the floor should be adhered to. Bear in mind that 
while a light rug presents a beautiful appearance 
when new, this is the one thing in the room which 
will be in constant use, and a soiled rug is an 
eyesore. A mixture of colors, if the colors are 
good, is the most satisfactory of all rugs. A plain 
dark blue, red, or black will show every footprint. 
If a light rug must be used, gray is one of the most 
satisfactory of colors, inasmuch as it is the color of 
dust. A rug of soft dull blue goes well with ivory 
white woodwork and white enamel furniture, but 
this combination should not be in a room which is 
habitually in use. The predominating color in a 
rug should be used somewhere else in the room — 



32 Interior Decoration 

in draperies, in a cushion, a lamp shade, a table 
cover, or pictures. A rug of rose, cream, and yellow 
calls for rose and yellow draperies or upholstery. 
In a small room it is best to use one large rug 
which nearly or entirely covers the floor rather 
than to use a number of small ones. The one 
large rug tends to add to the floor space while a 
heterogeneous collection of small rugs will detract 
from what space you have. The position of the 
rug on the floor also has its effect on the amount of 
space. Rugs should be placed with a view to the 
furniture which is to stand on or near them. By 
placing furniture and rugs to advantage the shape 
and the proportions of the room can be greatly 
emphasized. The lines of the rug or rugs should 
in all cases follow the lines of the firrniture. 

The draperies, bedspreads, couch covers, and 
cushions can afford abundant relief in decorating 
a room which might otherwise be a bit severe. 
These things should be selected last of all, for the 
choice is great and they can be chosen to har- 
monize with the heavier things. Draperies of 
sun fast material are by far the best to purchase, 
though they may cost a trifle more in the beginning. 
If the house is furnished in a simple manner with 
regard to rugs, furniture, and bric-a-brac, then 
by all means have the simplest of lace curtains. 



Interior Decoration 33 

Fancy embroidered curtains, or ciirtains decked 
with heavy lace, are in very bad taste in a room 
which is otherwise very simply treated. Sumptu- 
ous window effects are for elaborate surroundings. 
Remember that chintz of large designs should not 
be used in a small room or the proportion will be 
bad. Effects that are just as pretty can be ob- 
tained in small figures and any colors desired can 
be had. Bedspreads or cushions of chintz like the 
draperies, are very serviceable and extremely 
pretty, if the colors are not too dark. This idea 
can be carried out with good effect by using 
bureau covers, and table covers, of the same 
material. 

Halls should be treated in connection with the 
rooms into which they are to open. Wall paper or 
paint for the walls of a hall had best be of neutral 
tints, then there will be no sudden jar of the senses 
when going from one room to another. In a 
house where the staircase runs up from the first 
floor to the third, by all means treat the halls alike. 
There is no natural break where the decoration 
of the hall of one floor can leave off and the other 
begin. 

A dining-room should always be decorated with 
a view to a cheerful effect. This is a room 
where all meet and where only pleasant thoughts 



34 Interior Decoration 

should be indiilged in. Fortunate you are if your 
dining-room is so placed that you may gaze out 
on a beautiful scene. If there is no pleasant sight 
to view from the dining-room windows, then make 
sure that the inside is pleasant. A dining-room 
of soft neutral tints is pleasing to most people. 
A large dining-room is well adapted for heavy 
pieces of furniture, for a plate rail, or paneling, 
but a small dining-room should have none of these 
adjuncts. If the dining-room is really a part of 
the living-room, as in the case of so many small 
houses and apartments, then paper like that of the 
living-room, with draperies containing enough 
contrasting but harmonious colors to take away 
the sameness of effect, will be found to yield ex- 
cellent results. 

Because the kitchen is the workshop is no reason 
why it shovild not be made attractive. Indeed, if 
there is one place in a household that should be 
attractive it is that spot where the drudgery 
work is done. First of all, keep the kitchen clean — 
not passably clean, but really clean. It is not 
difficult after the habit is formed and the one who 
works in it will have her whole life colored by 
the reflection. An enameled wall which can be 
easily washed is the best substitute for tile, which 
is so expensive that few can afford it, and for- 



Interior Decoration 35 

tunately any color of paint can be obtained without 
regard to the cost of one shade over another. With 
the walls painted a shade that matches linoleum 
or rugs, the kitchen already is attractive and it only 
remains to have it tidy and a flower pot or two 
somewhere around to have all the decoration it 
really needs. 

A whole book could easily be written when it 
comes to the subject of the children's rooms. 
Each child's personality should be studied, and 
more than that, the wear and tear of certain colors 
and articles of furniture should be a main considera- 
tion. Boys usually like serviceable shades, such as 
dark green and brown, while girls nearly always 
prefer something more aesthetic. If children are 
reared in a homelike atmosphere among attractive 
surroundings, it will go far toward influencing 
their whole future life. And to let children share 
in the selection of furniture and draperies for 
their own rooms not only affords them vast 
pleasure but it trains their taste and insures 
greater care in the treatment of the furniture. 

WALL PAPER, WOODWORK, DRAPERIES, ETC. 

Old wall paper of light tones can he tinted at little 
expense with a special tint that comes for use on 



36 Interior Decoration 

walls. By tinting faded papers, a room can be 
made to look as if it had been thoroughly decorated, 
and any color desired can be had. An ordinary 
whitewash brush should be used to spread the tint 
and the work is so easy that any housewife can do 
it. The cost is about fifty cents for a small room. 
First, test the paper to see what colors will take 
best, as certain shades cannot be tinted with any 
color of tint with beautiful result. 

If your wall paper is disfigured hy a stain that 
cannot be removed, procure some of the paper, or 
paper that matches, and roughly tear from it an 
irregular patch which is a little larger than the 
stain to be hidden. Carefully paste this patch 
over the stain. The irregular, torn edge of it will 
almost defy detection. 

Plain wall paper stenciled in colors to harmonize 
is an extremely attractive way to treat a room if 
good pictures cannot be supplied at once and is in 
far better taste than a conglomeration of pictures 
selected with no thought or care. The walls can 
be stenciled in such designs that pictiires may 
afterward be hung over the designs. I 

A very novel and attractive way of using border i 

wall paper is to run it lengthwise at the corners^ 



on 



Interior Decoration 37 

two strips to each corner. This will tend to give 
height to a room which has a low ceiling. 

To avoid a disappointment in tones of watt paper, 
which one so frequently experiences after seeing 
it hung, test it by folding samples in quarters and 
pinning the ends together to make a box repre- 
senting the walls of a room. Set them on a table 
having a top the tone of your floor. Look down 
into the box and you get a wonderfully accurate 
idea of the effect of the walls of the room on each 
other, especially as to color and lightness or 
darkness of the room. 

For scratched watt paper: Moisten a scrap of the 
wall paper which has been saved, carefully scrape 
off the coloring with a thin knife-blade, and apply 
this to the spot. When dry the mark will not be 
noticed. 

To remove watt paper in about half the time it 
usually takes, use one heaping tablespoonful of 
saltpeter to a gallon of hot water, and apply it to 
the paper freely with a brush. A whitewash brush 
is best for this purpose, as it covers a broader 
space than other brushes. The water should be 
kept hot and after a few applications the paper 
can easily be pulled from the wall. 



38 Interior Decoration 

Clean wall paper by rubbing with cotton tied 
to a broom handle. Also use stale bread for 
cleaning spots from wall paper. 

Light woodwork and light-colored draperies 
always give the room the appearance of being 
larger than it really is. 

The finish of woodwork should be selected with a 
view to the furniture and vice versa. White wood- 
work with mahogany furniture in a small room, 
mahogany woodwork with mahogany furniture in 
a large room, and oak furniture with oak wood- 
work. 

For a useful as well as an appropriate finish 
around a porch ^ instead of the usual railing, place 
square, box-like posts at the corners and at inter- 
vals, and run from one to another twelve-inch, 
open-topped boxes, such as are made ordinarily for 
window ledges. During the summer season these 
may be filled with flowers, ferns, and drooping 
plants, and the effect is really beautiful. In 
winter, the square boxing merely corresponds to 
the posts as a heavy finish. The boxes may be 
lined with galvanized iron and little drains made 
at the corners. 



Interior Decoration 39 

A strip of picture molding a trifle longer than 
the width of the bed and painted to correspond 
with the woodwork tacked to the baseboard at the 
head of the bed will prevent the beds from scratching 
the walls when moving them. The castors will roll 
against the molding and there will be no danger of 
injury to the wall paper. 

In painting a chamber floor, if the baseboard is 
painted the same color as the floor, there will be no 
danger of soiling the baseboard when the floor is 
being cleaned. 

Curtains will hang more evenly if the selvage is 
cut from the goods before hemming, as the selvage, 
being more tightly woven than the rest of the 
fabric, hangs more firmly than the rest. This 
applies to heavy and thin goods alike. 

Cheese cloth gives a charming effect when used as 
curtains. They can be stenciled, or bordered with 
slightly heavier material, in colors to carry out 
any desired color scheme. Four inches should be 
allowed for shrinking. 

Keep curtains fresh in an old house, or in a room 
where the furniture shows wear and tear, and the 
house will look eighty per cent, better. 



40 Interior Decoration 

Muslin or dotted swiss dresses will serve their 
time if made into curtains y as they are subject to 
no hard strain. 

To prevent curtains from rubbing against the 
screens and window casings and becoming soiled 
when the windows are opened at night, sew snap 
fasteners on the curtains, one in each lower corner 
on the inside of the curtain where it will not show, 
and the other half of the snaps about three fourths 
of the way up, one on each side of the curtain. In 
this way the curtain can quickly be caught up 
and held in place, yet the fasteners are almost 
invisible. 

To protect lace curtains when ventilating a 
chamber at night, instead of supporting the lace 
curtain rods on the usual brackets, suspend them 
by stout cords run through eyelets at the top of 
the window casing. The eyelets act as pulleys and 
by means of them and the cords (one of which 
should run across the top and both be brought 
down on the same side of the window and fastened 
at a proper height) the curtains, rod and all, may 
be lowered from the top, leaving the whole upper 
sash free for the circulation of air. The curtains 
should be draped back at the sides in the usual way 



Interior Decoration 41 

and fastened, as the lowering process will not 
interfere with this arrangement. 

If an inner covering for a sofa pillow is made of 
oilcloth and the outer covering of some wash 
material, there will be no trouble in taking care 
of them even if they are frequently soaked by 
being left out on the porch through a rain. 

Old silk garments cut very fine make an excellent 
stuffing for pillows. They are cool and soft and 
easily shaken out. The pillows should be sunned 
occasionally. 

A velvet dress or a heavy silk coat or skirt may 
still be of use when you need a sofa pillow or a 
table cover. 

Cut cotton batting into small squares and heat 
it in a baking-pan in the oven. Leave it there for 
half an hour, taking care that it does not scorch. 
Each little square will swell to twice its size 
and be as fluffy a stuffing for sofa pillows as down 
or feathers. 

Old blankets and comfortables can be utilized 
by folding them and covering with brocade or other 
cushion material and used for porch cushions. 

Old linen scarfs that have grown out of style 
can be utilized by making them into table covers^ 



42 Interior Decoration 

doilies and napkins, or dish towels, and at no costo 
For the children's dining-room they are especially 
desirable and an animal or flower worked in outline 
stitch is pretty and easily done. 

Table covers and dresser scarfs embroidered in 
colors are much prettier and far more serviceable 
than a glaring white. 

Bead fringe on table covers keeps the wind from 
blowing them away. 

Gingham slip covers for the furniture during the 
summer months are less expensive than linen and 
are more easily washed and ironed. The wall 
paper should be taken into consideration when the 
material is purchased. 

Bedspreads of chintz or figured muslins give 
excellent results, requiring less laundering than 
white spreads, and also aid to carry out a color 
scheme. 

Plain heavy linen makes beautiful napkins and 
tablecloths for use on occasions when they will be 
used only once. It wrinkles more readily than 
damask and is not advisable for everyday use. 

The tails of old shirts can be used for making 
shoe bags, laundry bags, and bags for holding dust 



Interior Decoration 43 

cloths. When these bags have served their time, 
they can be used for dusting cloths. 

Old night dresses find a ready use as slip covers 
for good dresses which are hung away subject to 
dust. 

Scraps of cloth or old rags of fast colors if saved 
in quantities can be braided into attractive rag 
rugs. 

Brass curtain-rings wound with half -inch satin 
ribbon make dainty guest napkin rings. A set of 
six of these in different colors makes a simple but 
pretty gift or an acquisition to the ''hope box.*' 

Homemade ground glass shades are easily 
produced by twisting a handful of putty in a 
coarse muslin bag and patting the glass shade or 
electric bulb with it. When thoroughly dry varnish 
with clear varnish. The effect may be varied by 
using a decorative stencil pattern. 

A Japanese bamboo fan holder makes one of the 
most artistic flower holders that ever graced an 
American home. In the winter it will hold branches 
with berries and in the summer dogwood blossoms. 

When so many people are discarding wooden 
bedsteads for brass ones, perhaps they would like to 



44 Interior Decoration 

know that beautiful and useful boxes can be made 
from the wood of the bed. Use the head and foot- 
board for cover and front of box, and side pieces 
for the ends. The width of the bed is used for 
the length of the box and dresses can be stored 
away full length. 

A large cracker box, such as will readily be 
furnished by any grocer, if covered with a pretty 
chintz, makes a useful and beautiful shirtwaist box. 

In putting down new matting, cut a strip the right 
length, tack one end in place, and push the sewing 
machine over it down the edge. Tack the other 
end of this strip, and cut another; tack the end of 
it, straddle the seam with the machine, pushing it 
along, and tack in place. 

Serving trays to fit the card table are convenient 
and are easily made at home. These trays are 
made of one quarter inch material and are finished 
on the edges by a flange of wood which projects 
upward about one half an inch, and is mitered at 
the corners. These strips are nailed into place, 
the holes puttied, and the tray stained to match the 
woodwork of the tables. When entertaining at 
cards, the hostess early in the day sets these trays 
with linen, silver, and even some of the less perish- 



Interior Decoration 45 

able eatables. When it is time to serve, the re- 
freshments are placed upon them and the trays 
carried in and placed upon the tables. Before 
making them be sure to measure the doorways 
through which they must be carried. Make a case 
to hold these trays of four uprights with slats and 
grooves where the trays may be slipped into place. 

A Dutch seat near the fireplace is a most cozy 
and charming affair, and a book stand or table placed 
near adds to the effect and convenience. 

A round piece of cardboard with a hole large 
enough to fit over the top of an electric light bulb 
holds fancy wire frame silk shades for side brackets 
in place, and is more satisfactory than the wire 
holders that can be bought for this purpose. 

A droplight is sometimes difficult to adjust but if a 
buttonhook with a loop handle is fastened to the 
cord by means of a sailor's knot, and the hook 
fastened to the edge of the shade, it can be ad- 
justed for the writing table or bedside and it takes 
only a moment to put in place. 



SYSTEMATIC HOUSEWORK 

ORGANIZATION 

Organization is as necessary in the household 
as in the office or factory. The hub of the home 
is the kitchen and to get efficiency in that sphere 
there must be system. The foundation of system 
is laid by the architect who plans the house, and 
if the cupboards, sink and drains, and other con- 
veniences be planned wisely with a view to econ- 
omy of labor half the work is already done. 
Alas, however, most kitchens are planned with 
a range on one side of the kitchen and cupboards, 
sink, and drains scattered around almost anywhere 
without regard to convenience. 

If there is not enough drainage space near the 
sink, a table on castors which can be rolled 
to the sink is a good substitute. A large tray on 
which sets a wire drain will take the place of the 
regular drainboard. If this table be long and 
narrow so that it can be rolled through the door 
into the pantry or dining-room, numerous steps 

46 



Systematic Housework 47 

will be saved in putting away the dishes. If the 
baseboard has been left out from the doors be- 
tween kitchen, pantry, and dining-room, so much 
the better. 

The placing of the icebox is very important. 
This is provided for in the average modern house 
to-day by an addition in the form of a small 
porch, or a special place in the pantry, but if no 
space has been set aside for it, it should be as near 
the working table as possible. While the kitchen 
is a hot place for a refrigerator it is better to have 
it there than to put it on an exposed porch for 
the rain to swell and crack the box. 

The range is an item which is not always given 
the thought it deserves. High ovens and broilers 
and glass doors do splendid duty in comparison 
with the old oven to which one must stoop and the 
method of opening the doors to look at cakes and 
bringing them out a sad fallen lump. Ranges 
come in almost every conceivable style and at 
practically any price and it is not at all necessary 
to pay a high price to get a well planned range. 
The price is based on the finish rather than on the 
arrangement. For one who does much broiling 
there are to be had broilers so built in that the 
meat can be turned without opening the door. 

If one is fortunate enough to have a tiled kitchen 



48 Systematic Housework 

the task of keeping it clean is reduced to a mini- 
mum, but this is very expensive and the next 
best thing is to paint the kitchen with a glossy 
enamel paint which can be easily washed. Paper 
is a very inferior finish for a kitchen, for the walls 
will not remain fresh longer than a few weeks 
even with the best of care. Grease and dust are 
sure to settle. Linoleupi makes a splendid floor 
covering and a good grade is not expensive in the 
long run. A cheap linoleum soon loses its pattern 
and is an eyesore when this has happened. 

One can hardly have too much cupboard room 
in the kitchen and pantry and all cupboards 
should have doors in order to save the contents 
from having to be constantly dusted. It is to 
be hoped that a broom closet has been planned 
to hide from view the brooms, carpet sweeper, and 
unsightly dusting cloths. A pot closet is a de- 
light to the one who takes pride in a neat kitchen 
and it should have good strong hooks on which 
to hang the pots. If agate or enamel pots are 
set one inside another they soon become chipped 
or cracked. 

To plan the housework systematically with 
regard to hours is to reduce the work materially. 
As much of breakfast as is practical should be 
prepared the night before. With regard to cooked 



Systematic Housework 49 

cereals, this is advisable only with a coal stove or 
fireless cooker, but it is to be hoped that one or 
the other of these is in use. After breakfast, 
the dining table should be cleared, the dishes 
rinsed and stacked in the dishpan, and water 
poured over them. While the dining-room is be- 
ing swept and dusted the dishes are soaking. The 
glassware and silver and delicate pieces of china 
should be washed and put out of the way before 
beginning with the heavier dishes and pots. In 
the water in which the silver and glassware have 
been washed may be washed the pots and pans. 
If the stove is cleaned next, there is left only the 
soaking dishes, and the labor is almost finished. 
To wash dishes in very hot soapy water and place 
them in a wire drain means the avoidance of dry- 
ing them, for if the water is hot and soapy they 
will be sweet and clean after draining dry and they 
will have a luster equal to any polish to be given 
with a cloth. By the time the cupboards are 
straightened and the kitchen floor swept, the 
dishes will be dry and can be carried in the drainer 
to the pantry, and the kitchen work is ended — for 
the time being anyway. 

For the floor covering and the walls to harmon- 
ize displays interest and taste and any effort 
spent to make the kitchen attractive will not be 



50 Systematic Housework 

lost. A window box with blossoming flowers adds 
a charming note and care should be taken to 
select plants that are suited to the exposure. For 
instance, if the window be on the north, a box 
filled with rich soil, kept moderately damp, will 
yield a splendid harvest of lilies of the valley or 
pansies. And what more pleasing sight than to 
have these little heads nodding at you while 
paring the homely yet nutritious tubers for dinner. 
If the kitchen window has a southern exposure 
there is a great variety of choice in flowers and 
even roses can be grown to advantage in a window 
box. 

Windows should be opened in the bedrooms 
upon rising and by the time the kitchen work is 
finished they will be thoroughly aired. If the 
rooms are thoroughly cleaned once each week, 
with a general dusting daily, the work will be 
light. It pays not to let a room get too dirty. 
After tending to the bedrooms the halls should 
be gone over with a carpet sweeper, and next the 
attention should be given to the bathroom. Bath- 
rooms cannot be kept too clean. Let us hope 
they are tiled to begin with, but if not, it is not 
difficult to keep them clean if they are given 
systematic attention. A long-handled mop dipped 
into a pail of water to which a little ammonia has 



Systematic Housework 51 

been added is a very easy way of caring for a 
bathroom floor. By rubbing this over the floor 
regtilarly each morning and giving the floor a 
thorough scoiiring once a week, the bathroom in 
an average family will be kept in good condition. 
Of course the basins and tubs should have a daily 
scouring, using some good cleansing powder which 
does not contain too much alkali. The mirror 
should be kept polished and soiled towels should 
never be left in sight. 

Laundry work can be made much easier by a little 
thought ahead of time. To put the clothes in 
soak in cold, soapy water the night before facili- 
tates the work. If hot water is used any stains 
that may happen to be in the clothes will set and 
many of them can never be removed. Soap should 
not be rubbed on the clothes as the alkali in most 
soaps is too strong for many delicate fabrics if 
rubbed into the weave. If one is the happy pos- 
sessor of an electric washer, there remains not 
much advice to be given, but if not, an automatic 
suction hand washer can be purchased for a very 
small sum which will take out the dirt without 
the hard rubbing. If this suction washer is used 
for a few minutes after the dining-room is cleared 
in the morning, and after the clothes have been 
soaking all night, they can boil while the kitchen 



52 Systematic Housework 

work is being completed and they will be ready 
to rinse by the time the beds are made. A great 
saver of time and energy is the pulley line. 
These are universally used in tenements in the city 
but even in the coimtry they should be in every 
home as they save one from the tiring walk with 
clothes basket. On ironing day the irons should 
be put on to heat while the kitchen work is in 
progress. 

Most good housekeepers lay out a weekly 
schedule for the housework, doing laimdry work 
on Monday, cleaning second floor on Tuesday, 
irdning on Wednesday, first floor cleaning on Friday, 
baking on Saturday, etc., leaving one day, Thurs- 
day, as an extra day. If a maid is doing the work, 
this is usually her day out. This system enables 
one to accomplish more and not get fagged out, 
as the ordinary household can be cared for during 
the morning hours and the afternoon is left free 
for entertaining callers, for visiting, or for sewing. 
In the average household the mother can do all 
her own work and yet rest every afternoon if the 
work be systematically planned. System is the 
key. Vegetables for dinner can be prepared in 
the morning and put into the fireless cooker. 
Many meats, too, can be started to cook in the 
morning and put into the fireless cooker. Prop- 



Systematic Housework 53 

erly planned a whole dinner can be put on in 
the morning, there remaining not much else to 
be done before dinner except to set the table and 
to place the food thereon. 

WITH THE AID OF A GYMNASIUM SUIT 

A gymnasium suit worn during the morning 
hours when sweeping, dusting, cleaning, washing, 
or in fact, when doing any work where exercise of 
the body is practiced, will leave the wearer far 
less fatigued after her duties than when wearing 
a clumsy dress or heavy skirt, as is usually worn 
by housewives. 

One is always nearly exhausted after a hard 
day's work on the day set aside for cleaning, but 
the adoption of this method of dress for doing 
housework enables the worker to do the work in 
less time and hardly feel the strain when the day 
is over. There is a certain amount of freedom 
felt in the gymnasium suit. If this is questioned 
let the reader visit a gymnasium class for adults 
and see the light-heartedness and care-free manner 
of the members while at their exercises. It makes 
one feel almost a child again. A heavy skirt is a 
handicap and is constantly in the way if one must 
climb up for dusting pictures or cleaning windows. 



54 Systematic Housework 

Too, it gathers much dust and grime and no skirt 
worn constantly for housework looks tidy very 
long. A light weight cotton union suit is all that 
is necessary for wearing under the suit. It is 
easy to get out of this costume into the tub when 
the work is finished and the wearer, instead of 
feeling tired and worn, is refreshed and brightened 
simply through having effected a change in 
dress. 

The gymnasium suit gives free play to the 
muscles that are otherwise bound down by tight 
bodice and sleeves, and the weight removed from 
the body and lower limbs enables the wearer to 
move with rapidity and ease and to get the full 
benefit of the exercise taken in a very easy and 
comfortable way. 

While it is really better to wear the suit without 
corsets, as is done in gymnasiums, if the wearer 
does not care to leave her corsets off, the suit is 
still far preferable to the old form of dress. 

Aside from the freedom of the muscles and the 
light weight of the costume as compared to the 
dress and petticoats, it is a much more economical 
apparel than the dress. The suit can be made 
from five yards of fifty-cent serge, and two such 
suits will last with good hard wear a couple of 
years. They are easy to wash and iron and a 



Systematic Housework 55 

great saving will be experienced in the laundry. 
The serge should be thoroughly sponged before 
being made up, in order to save the wearer the 
discomfort of the suit becoming too tight after 
being washed. 

An outer skirt should be kept conveniently near 
to slip on over the gymnasium suit when the door- 
bell rings or when tradespeople call, and a much 
neater appearance will be presented than to go to 
the door with a soiled cotton dress on, or a heavy 
skirt bearing spots from cooking. 

Special attention should be given to the shoes 
worn while doing housework. Shoes that are 
run down in the heel will tire the wearer more than 
the actual labor. Shoes with worn soles may be 
used if necessary but shoes with worn heels never. 
The twenty cents per month it costs to keep the 
heels in good order will repay the wearer a hundred 
times in comfort. 

As a last and very important argument in favor 
of the gymnasium suit, the disposition of the 
wearer will be immensely improved, for nothing 
will so quickly cause a woman who does her own 
work to become irritable and nervous as to be in 
a half exhausted condition while having to face 
the annoying little problems that come up daily 
in her home life. 



56 Systematic Housework 

IN THE KITCHEN 

If dishes are washed in hot soapy water and 
rinsed in clear, cold water they will not have to 
be dried. Unless the water is very clear, they 
will be streaked when dry and will lack the polish 
that they shoiild have. 

A tablespoonftil of ammonia added to the dish 
water will take the place of soap. 

Cut glass should be washed in hot soapsuds 
and not dried but left to drain. After the air 
has dried it, rub briskly with a Turkish towel as 
this fabric leaves no lint and gets down into the 
cuts better than ordinary toweling. 

To clean pans that have been scorched by food 
adhering to them, sprinkle dry baking soda in 
them and allow them to stand for a while. They 
can then be readily and quickly cleaned. 

A wooden tub or bowl for washing dishes will 
spare the dishes from the chipping which they 
so often get from a metal pan or basin. 

A few accessories to the kitchen, which will 
soon become necessities after having been used, 
are a rubber dish mop, a rubber hose for rinsing 



Systematic Housework 57 

dishes, and a strong wire basket dish drainer. The 
mop will mean a great deal in the care of the 
hands, as will also the hose. The dish drainer 
should have protruding wires in the center that 
the dishes may stand up and not be permitted to 
touch, or they will not dry readily. Care should 
be taken to secure a drainer that is large enough 
for all the dishes or there will be constant annoy- 
ance at having to use so much care in stacking 
them. 

Boil water in very dirty pots to which washing 
soda has been added instead of scraping them. 
This will not only save the pots but will be very 
much easier than scouring them. 

Aluminum utensils need especial care. They 
should not be allowed to stand with soda or soapy 
water in them nor should they be washed with 
a strong brown soap. For regular washing hot 
water and a neutral soap are advised. Any neces- 
sary soaking should be done with clear water. 
To remove discolorations, steel wool with neutral 
soap is advisable. Boiling in clear water to 
which a spoonful of vinegar has been added is also 
effective. Oxalic acid cannot be endorsed. It is 
a dangerous poison. 



58 Systematic Housework 

Tissue paper which ordinarily is consigned to 
the wastebasket will prove to be very useful if 
kept in the kitchen for the purpose of wiping the 
grease from pots and pans and for any other use 
where cloths would be used. This will mean a 
great saving in washing dish towels. 

Cotton crepe cut into one-yard lengths makes 
very serviceable dish towels. These require no 
hemming and do not need to be ironed. They 
give a fine polish to glassware, are non-linty, and 
'have the added advantage of being very inex- 
perisive. 

A roll of paper toweling placed near the kitchen 
sink is a great labor and time saver. This can 
be used for cleaning the sink, scraping refuse from 
plates, for covering food, putting up lunches, and 
in countless other ways. Much of the disagree- 
able task of washing hand towels and dish towels 
will be spared and they are quite inexpensive if 
purchased in quantity. 

Old window shades can be utilized for roller 
towels and kitchen towels if they are soaked and 
boiled clean, thus taking out the dressing. They 
can also be dyed and utilized for window curtains 
and for making up into rag rugs. 



Systematic Housework 59 

A handy little dish washer for the milk bottle 
which is too narrow for the hand and cloth is made 
from the wire handle of a grape basket, if it is 
straightened out, and the hook left on one end. 

An iron sink may be kept free from rust and 
grease by wiping daily with a soft paper wet with 
kerosene. 

The chief concern of a porcelain sink is not to 
mar the surface of the enamel. Soap and water, 
with a little kerosene, will keep it immaculate. 



A little kerosene poured down the kitchen sink 
at night is a precaution against water hugs. 

Two thirds boracic acid mixed with one third 
powdered sugar sprinkled around the baseboard, 
shelves, and other places which roaches and water 
hugs frequent will cause their death. This mix- 
ture is poisonous to them. 

To clean steel on oven doors, it should be rubbed 
briskly while the steel is warm with a soft cloth 
dipped in vinegar. 

To clean a rusty gas oven, saturate a woolen 
cloth with linseed oil and rub over the entire oven 
until the rust disappears. Next rub thoroughly 



6o Systematic Housework 

with a dry, clean cloth. Wash the biirners and 
racks in hot washing soda and suds; turn on the 
oven burners and dry out the range well before 
turning them off. If this is done once a month 
the range will last longer and bake better. 

A vacuum cleaner can be used very successfully 
in cleaning a hard-coal stove. By its use all flying 
ashes can be eliminated. 

If the stove is rubbed while slightly warm with 
a cloth wet with kerosene then stove polish applied, 
the polish will last twice as long as usual. Rubbing 
over each morning with an old piece of flannel will 
keep it bright. 

Oilcloth placed under the burners of an oil stove 
will facilitate the work in connection with this 
handy little article. The oil cloth is much easier 
to clean than a shelf or table. 

A pair of shears in the kitchen proves a most 
valuable implement. In the preparation of lettuce 
and other vegetables, to cut the scorched part 
from a cake, for carving tender chicken and other 
meats they will be very satisfactory. 

Rubber tipped door-stops screwed into the legs 
of a kitchen chair will add to its height for use at 



Systematic Housework 6i 

the sink or a low table, and will be found a splendid 
way of making the chair high enough for use 
when seated to iron. 

A handy pocket for storing paper hags and wrap- 
ping paper may be made by tacking on the pantry 
door a heavy square of cotton material. 

The most efficient way to dispose of garbage is to 
burn it. This is easy in the country and even in 
the city some refuse can be burned by putting it 
into the furnace. Care should be used in doing 
this or a poor fire will be the result. 

If washtubs are covered with white oilcloth, as so 
many housewives have them, it is well to tack the 
front edge to an old broom handle cut the length 
of the tub. When the tubs are opened the oil- 
cloth rolls back on the broom handle and creasing 
and breaking is prevented. The broom handle 
also keeps the oilcloth laying smooth and flat 
when covering the tubs. 

A small cork neatly fitted into the spout of the 
teakettle or coffeepot will hasten the boiling. 

Linoleum for covering tables will last much longer 
than oilcloth and will be more satisfactory in 
every way. 



62 Systematic Housework 

The hand can he protected against steam and hot 
pans if pan holders are made in the form of thick 
pockets. 

A pocket on the inside of a kitchen apron is a con- 
venience as the pocket cannot catch on anything 
and tear. 

A very convenient '^kitchen office'' is formed by 
building a desk into the kitchen wall so that the 
front when opened down and supported by a 
s;trong side chain becomes a small, firm writing 
desk. The interior is roomy enough for pen, ink, 
paper, kitchen accounts book, cook books, calen- 
dar, checkbook, purse, hooks for bills and receipts, 
besides small cubby-holes for bread and milk 
tickets. This systematizes the running of the 
household wonderftilly and saves many steps in 
the course of a day. 

Casters on the legs of the kitchen table will enable 
it to be rolled to the refrigerator, stove, and dumb- 
waiter. This will save much heavy lifting. 

WINDOWS AND MIRRORS 

A rag dipped in paraffin will clean windows 
perfectly and give a brightness impossible to 



Systematic Housework 63 

obtain with water. Tissue paper, or any soft 
paper, makes a good polisher, leaving no lint. 

Chamois cloth makes an excellent window 
cleaner, and is not expensive as it lasts such a long 
time. 

Use no soap on window glass. Instead, use old 
muslin and clean soft water. A cotton cloth 
dipped in a little alcohol will add brilliancy to the 
final rub. 

Never use linen to clean mirrors or windows as 
it sheds lint and often causes streaks. 

The addition of a little kerosene for washing 
windows gives a brilliant polish. It is especially 
good in winter as the oil prevents the water from 
drying before the cloth can be brought into play. 

SILVER AND OTHER METALS 

Table salt rubbed on egg stains on silver will 
cleanse them. 

Silver should be washed in a bowl or basin by 
itself. If touched with a greasy cloth it will have 
to be washed over again. It should always be 
well rinsed in order to retain the polish. 



64 Systematic Housework 

Common lump starch can be used with very 
gratifying results for cleaning silver. It should 
be rubbed on with a damp cloth, left to stand for 
a few minutes, and rubbed dry with cheesecloth. 

Many housekeepers are annoyed to find their 
silver tarnished, although they have carefully 
polished it before putting it away. Try putting 
a piece of camphor ice away with it and you will 
find it free from tarnish. 

^ An easy way of cleaning silver that is not badly 
tarnished is to put it in an aluminum pan filled 
with boiling salt water and leave it there to boil 
for a few minutes. It can then be easily polished 
by rubbing with a piece of chamois cloth. 

Rub oil upon iron vessels and the iron top of 
stoves and let stand for a few minutes ; then cover 
with powdered alum. The stove or vessel will 
keep almost like new. 

There is nothing equal to kerosene for removing 
rust from iron. A stove cleaned with ordinary 
stove blacking moistened with kerosene will look 
like new. Before storing stove pipe away for 
the summer rub it well with kerosene, stuff the 
ends with paper to keep out moisture, and the 
pipe will be entirely without rust when fall comes. 



Systematic Housework 65 

Any metal article that is badly rusted should be 
immersed in kerosene and allowed to remain until 
the rust has softened, then wiped with a soft cloth 
and polished with whiting, sand soap, or bath 
brick, according to the finish of the metal. 

To remove rust from a knife, plunge the blade 
into an onion and leave it there for an hour or so. 
Then polish it in the usual way. 

Copper and brass vessels are brightened by using 
vinegar and salt in the water when washing. 

To remove tobacco stains from copper or brass 
ash-trays apply a little denatured alcohol with 
a brush. 

To clean zinCy cut a thick slice of lemon and rub 
the stained spots on the zinc with it. Let it 
remain for an hour, then wipe off the acid. The 
zinc will be as clean and as bright as when new. 

An excellent method for cleaning zinc is to wash 
with hot soapy water, afterwards polishing with 
flannel dampened with kerosene. 

Kerosene is splendid for cleaning tin. It leaves 
a beautiful polish. 

A sewing machine may be cleaned by moistening 
all of the bearings and metal parts with kerosene, 



66 Systematic Housework 

running the machine rapidly for a few minutes, 
and then thoroughly wiping off all the liquid with 
a soft cloth. 

Gasolene will remove rust from nickel. 

WOODWORK AND MARBLE 

Annoying match marks can be removed from 
white paint by rubbing with a cut lemon. To 
prevent future marring, smear the spot lightly 
with vaseline. After a few attempts to repeat the 
scratching on the greasy surface, the most persis- 
tent offender will finally desist. 

To take white marks from a polished wood surface 
dampen a clean piece of chamois or flannel with 
essence of peppermint or cedar oil. This will 
take away marks caused by hot water and marks 
made by hot dishes, and will not injure the most 
highly polished surface. 

Soot on woodwork can be removed by the use 
of kerosene. 

Vinegar used in removing paint from glass will 
be very effective. 

Water in which onions have been boiled, if 
rubbed over picture frames will keep the frames 
free from ^3^ specks. 



Systematic Housework 67 

If the white of an egg is applied with a small 
earners hair paint brush to fly specks on gilt frames, 
then rubbed gently with a soft cloth, the specks 
will disappear. 

To clean white paint, boil two or three onions 
well, and the water they are boiled in will cleanse 
painted woodwork effectively. No soap will be 
needed; all the dirt will disappear, leaving the 
paint clean and glossy. 

For cleaning varnished woodwork, scour with bran. 

A few drops of oxalic acid on unpainted hoards 
will lessen the task of scrubbing wonderfully. 

Warm water and a neutral soap should be used 
on enameled surfaces. A little kerosene added to 
the water acts like a charm. Immediate drying 
with a soft cloth is essential, following the grain 
when possible. Where spots or stains occur, a 
little ammonia should be used instead of kerosene. 
This calls for quick treatment, however, and the 
ammoniated water should be rinsed off, or the 
paint as well as the stain will be removed. 

Where too much alkali has been used on painted 
or enameled surfaces, sweet oil applied at once will 
neutralize any bad effect. 



68 



Systematic Housework 



To clean varnished surfaces use kerosene and 
water, or a weak solution of soap powder, ammo- 
nia, or soda; dry thoroughly; retouch with a thin 
varnish or shellac. 

Five cents' worth of coarse sandpaper will last 
a long time for rubbing stone steps or window sills 
to remove marks. After rubbing they shotild sim- 
ply be dusted with a cloth or duster. They will 
stay white much longer by using this method of 
cleaning than by using water. Gloves should 
always be worn while doing this rough work. 

Stains on marble can be removed by making a 
paste of benzine and powdered soapstone and 
spreading it over the marble and leaving it over 
night. It should be washed off with warm water. 
It may be necessary to give more than one appli- 
cation. 

There is nothing better than kerosene for remov- 
ing paint spots from porcelain or glassware. 

One of the disagreeable things connected with 
cleaning the bathroom is washing out the tub after 
it has been cleaned with any of the various powders 
on the market. If an ordinary bath spray is at- 
tached to the faucet every bit of powder will be 
removed in a very few seconds. 



Systematic Housework 69 

To clean a white sink, bathtub, washbowls, and 
toilet bowls, use a soft cloth moistened with tur- 
pentine and wipe dry with another soft cloth. If 
rust appears in the sink, use kerosene. 

THE FLOORS 

Paraffin oil, which can be purchased at any drug 
store for about twenty-five cents per quart, is excel- 
lent for waterproofing kitchen floors. It should 
be applied cold with a soft rag. It dries easily. 
A quart of oil is sufficient for a medium-sized 
kitchen. 

Melted candle grease and turpentine in equal 
parts make an excellent floor polish. 

A mop dipped into a pail of water to which 
ammonia has been added and rubbed over linoleum 
will keep the floor clean and heavy cleaning will 
not have to be done so often. Care should be 
taken not to let water get under the edges of the 
linoleum as this will cause it to swell and stand 
up in welts. Cleansing powders used on linoleum 
tend to turn it gray. 

Wash linoleum and oilcloth with lukewarm 
water, then polish it with a soft woolen cloth which 
has been dipped in milk. 



70 Systematic Housework 

To make floor -cleaning easier, take a piece of 
two-inch board large enough to set a pail upon. 
Bore holes one and one half inch from each corner 
and insert castors. The pail can then be pushed 
from place to place with the foot and save a great 
deal of unnecessary lifting. 

Substitute kerosene for soap in cleaning shel- 
lacked floors. Use the liquid in the proportion 
of one cupful to each pail of water. Do not have 
the 'water more than lukewarm, wash the floor 
with a well moistened soft cloth, and polish with 
a floor mop. The colors of oilcloth and linoleum 
will be wonderfully freshened if rubbed with a 
piece of flannel dipped in kerosene. 

To remove spots of paint from hardwood floors 
apply kerosene, rub briskly, and follow by rubbing 
the floor with a soft cloth wrung from lukewarm 
water. 

If cork floor covering is waxed, shellacked, or 
varnished, the cork will not only last longer but 
grease will be prevented from soaking in. Milk 
is sometimes used on cork and linoleum cover- 
ings but an oil-mop is less expensive and just as 
effective. 



Systematic Housework 71 

CURTAINS, CARPETS, DRAPERIES, ETC. 

Draperies hung out on the line when the wind 
is blowing will be freed from all dust and the neces- 
sity for beating and shaking is done away with. 

A dingy carpet can be brightened by using a 
mop wrung out of tepid water which has had a 
little ammonia put into it. Turpentine, too, is 
a good medium for brightening dark colors. 

A weak solution of alum will revive the colors 
of a faded carpet after a thorough sweeping. 

Salt sprinkled over carpets before sweeping 
preserves the colors and keeps away moths. 

To remove ink stains from carpets pour salt on 
the spot immediately. Put on a second applica- 
tion of salt when the ink has soaked into the first 
application. When the salt ceases to become 
discolored, wash the stain with tepid water, with- 
out soap. The stains cannot be successfully 
removed after they have dried in. 

Ink spots on carpet may be removed by washing 
with sweet milk and sprinkling with cornmeal. 
This should be left on overnight and upon sweep- 
ing up next morning the colors will remain bright. 



72 Systematic Housework 

Sheets should be turned each way, paying no 
attention to the top or bottom and they will wear 
much longer, as the strain will be distributed. 

Fold the sheet back over the tops of the blankets 
and the blankets will keep clean much longer. 

A piece of thin muslin sewed to the blanket, 
reaching about eight inches, will protect the blan- 
kets wonderfully and dispense with cleaning bills. 

' FURNITURE 

To wash furniture boil one half cake of castile 
soap in one gallon of water. When cold, add one 
ounce of linseed oil. Wash the wood with this 
cold mixture. Leather couches can be washed 
with it and when dry the leather can be oiled. 
Olive oil can be substituted for linseed oil. 

An excellent furniture polish is made of equal 
parts of kerosene, turpentine, and vinegar. 

To remove ink stains from mahogany furniture 
put a few drops of spirits of nitre into a teaspoon- 
f ul of water ; touch the spot with a feather dipped 
in the fluid and the ink will disappear. 

If polished oak, cherry, or walnut pieces are given 
a thorough, monthly cleaning they will retain 



Systematic Housework 73 

their luster indefinitely. First dust with a slightly 
dampened cloth and then wash quickly with tepid 
soapsuds made with mild white soap. Clean a 
small part at a time, dry imxaediately, and polish 
with a piece of old flannel slightly moistened with 
a few drops of kerosene. Polished mahogany 
requires the same periodical cleaning. Dust it 
first with a dry cloth, wipe quickly with a 
piece of flannel wrung out of cold water, and 
rub with a piece of dry flannel tmtil the luster 
is restored. 

Dull-finish oak furniture, such as Flemish, fumed, 
or Mission, will retain its original appearance if all 
dust is carefully wiped away once a month with a 
piece of old flannel wrung dry out of tepid water. 
In the summer months, this dusting should be 
followed by wiping with a piece of flannel very 
lightly moistened with turpentine. In the winter 
follow the first dusting with a quick washing with 
naphtha soapsuds. Use hot water and a mild white 
soap, and add one tablespoonful of naphtha to each 
gallon of water. Do the washing with a piece 
of chamois skin. Wash a small part at a time, 
wipe dry with fiannel, rubbing until the wood 
feels hot. Use a good furniture polish on the 
wood occasionally. 



74 Systematic Housework 

Enameled iron beds should be first dusted and 
then washed with tepid suds, then dried and pol- 
ished with a solution composed of half a pint of 
sweet oil and alcohol and one tablespoonful of 
thin white varnish. A brass bed should not be 
washed but cleaned by rubbing with a piece of 
chamois cloth, slightly dampened. Obstinate 
spots can be removed with a light application of 
prepared chalk. 

J)elicate colored enameled furniture should never 
be washed with soap and water but should be 
cleaned with sifted whiting applied with a slightly 
moistened cloth, and then wiped off with a piece 
of old flannel wrung out of clear, cold water, and 
polished with a piece of silk. 

Antique furniture should be carefully dusted 
and wiped with a slightly dampened cloth. It 
should then be washed with warm soapsuds, 
using a mild soap, adding a tablespoonful of 
naphtha to each gallon of water. A small part 
should be washed at a time and should be dried 
at once with a piece of flannel wrung from hot 
borax water and rubbed with a piece of chamois 
skin until the wood feels hot. The best prepared 
piano polish should then be applied with a piece 
of soft flannel. 



Systematic Housework 75 

Natural finish willow or wicker furniture should 
be thoroughl}' washed with warm soapsuds con- 
taining enough borax to make the water soft. The 
reeds should be scrubbed with an ordinary scrub- 
bing brush and wiped off with a dry cloth and set 
in the sun imtil all dampness has disappeared. 



MODERN CONVENIENCES 

ARTICLES EFFECTING A SAVING IN LABOR 

(Note: A communication to the author in the care 
of the publishers will bring information as to where 
the following articles can be purchased.) 

First, have in the kitchen all the cupboards and 
shelves that can be conveniently crowded in. 
All will be needed. 

A specially made cabinet for holding pots and 
pans, flour bin, sugar sifter, spice bottles, etc., 
can be purchased at almost any price, according 
to the make and finish of the cabinet. This is a 
most valuable piece of furniture and it is one cup- 
board that can travel with its owner from house 
to house. It also has a bread board covered with 
metal or enamel which slides back out of the way 
when not in use. 

A fireless cooker is indispensable after having 

once been in use. It enables the housekeeper to 

cook all her food while absent and several dishes 

being cooked at one time by the fireless constitutes 

76 



Modern Conveniences 77 

a great saving in gas. With the best makes there 
comes a cook book telling just how to cook the 
various dishes and how long they should be cooked. 
They come for use with disks, heated on a gas or 
coal stove, and also to be heated by electricity. 

Another cooker not so well known as the fireless 
cooker, though just as satisfactory, is the steam 
cooker. This has several shelves on which to put 
the various foods to be cooked all at one time, 
and requires only one gas jet to cook a whole 
dinner. 

A novel kitchen aid especially valuable in light 
housekeeping is an oven which fries, bakes, or roasts 
without the fierce heat usually required. The oven 
is equipped with a steel pan and an adjustable 
handle, a flame plate and a removable shelf. 
The oven may be used on top of the stove, over 
one burner of the ordinary gas stove, or inside the 
range oven. Used for baking potatoes and warm- 
ing over foods it saves heating the regular oven 
and is a gas-saver. 

A fireless cooking kettle can be purchased if one 
does not desire the larger article. This kettle 
sets on the stove and when heated to the required 
point, the gas jet under it is turned off. 



78 Modem Conveniences 

There is made a small broiler which can be used 
over a single gas-burner or kerosene-oil stove, 
and which proves much less expensive to use than 
the oven of a gas stove. Less attention is re- 
quired for turning the meat and the result is excel- 
lent. The grid of the broiler is of cast iron and 
should be thoroughly washed with strong hot 
soda-water before using for the first time. 

It is possible to obtain a bacon broiler which will 
insure perfectly broiled bacon. The thinnest 
slice of bacon can be made crisp without burning 
by use of this little broiler. 

For keeping food warm a hot water platter is 
most satisfactory as the lower vessel can be filled 
with hot water and a plate set on this any length 
of time without injury to the china. They are 
very cheap in price. 

In purchasing a new refrigerator, do not fail to 
look at the make which has a cooler of cast iron, 
lined with white porcelain. This cooler obviates 
the necessity of putting ice into the drinking 
water, and as the bottle of water sets on the out- 
side of the ice box, with the water pouring down 
into the cooler, it does not absorb odors from food 
which makes it unwholesome to drink. 



Modern Conveniences 79 

A very useful strainer has been located among 
the kitchen utensils. This strainer consists of 
the strainer proper and a larger boiler, or pot, with 
a handle from which to hang the strainer by 
means of a hook. It is a decided convenience 
when cooking vegetables that should be drained, 
or when cooking doughnuts, croquettes, etc. 

A combination mayonnaise mixer, egg beater, and 
churn comes in glass, enabling one to see just when 
the ingredients are properly mixed. They are 
in various sizes and at different prices. 

A new omelette pan has long handles that fit into 
the hands and enable the omelet to be flipped 
readily. The top fits over the bottom and vice 
versa and there is little danger of the omelet being 
scorched or served half cooked. 

Small china covers, in appearance very like the 
cover of a butter dish, with holes permitting ven- 
tilation, can be bought for covering dishes to be 
served on trays and which cool too readily. 

Aluminum kitchen utensils can be purchased in 
any form and at almost any price. They are 
more economical in the long run as they wear for- 
ever. They are easier to clean than the old iron 
and tin pots. 



8o 



Modern Conveniences 



There are cleaners of aluminum utensils that 
will not harm the metal, as does the ordinary 
cleaning powders, etc., containing oxalic acid. 
The simplest and cheapest cleaner is of steel wool. 
Care shquld be taken that the wool is not too 
coarse or it will not clean satisfactorily. 

There is another aluminum cleaner made of 
pumice stone and oils which will restore finish to 
the metal. This is a very inexpensive preparation. 

"A three-piece aluminum set consists of a deep 
side-handled pan, a pie-plate, and a pudding-pan, 
and these pieces will serve as a baking dish, a 
serving dish, a double boiler, and a chafing dish, 
or the utensils may be used separately. 

A double boiler steamer is made of durable enamel 
ware. It is a simple type which introduces steam 
directly into the food compartment through holes 
in the food pan. The food is cooked by steam 
which as it condenses is directed downward into 
the pan below. 

A nickel holder in which is fitted a strong, heavy 
plank enables the housewife to serve a delicious 
planked steak or fish. 

A combination apple and potato peeler^ corer, 
and scraper can be purchased for a very small sum. 



Modern Conveniences 8i 

Potatoes and apples can be skinned by means of 
this little article and a great saving in these foods 
is effected. 

An accessory in the preparation of fruit is in 
the form of a knife whichj with one motion, cuts the 
apple into quarters and at the same time removes 
the core. After peeling off the skin the fruit is 
prepared for eating or cooking. With this cutter 
comes a circular cutting board of hardwood. 

Another useful little device is a peach stoner 
which enables one at preserving time to preserve 
peaches whole and prepare them in a very short 
time. 

Another convenient article is a fruit-seeder and 
pitter which quickly removes seeds from grape- 
fruit, oranges, or lemons, while it is also efficient 
for pitting olives and cherries. 

A very real service to the housekeeper is per- 
formed by the new colander and fruit press. It 
serves for ricing potatoes and separating from 
their skins vegetables intended for purees. It has 
a standard to clamp it firmly to the table, high 
enough for a kettle or crock to rest beneath to 
receive the f rmt or vegetable pulp. The colander 
is bowl shaped, heavily tinned, with holes in the 

6 



82 Modern Conveniences 

bottom and sides. A strong curved blade is 
attached to the center of the bottom of the col- 
ander and it is turned by a knob at the top. 

-4^ egg fryer made of aluminum and shaped so 
that the sections containing the eggs do not rest 
directly upon the stove is made with a long handle, 
and each egg being in a separate compartment is 
cooked in nicely rounded shape. 

A meat juice extractor is especially valuable in 
the -sick-room or in the home where there are 
young children or elderly people. It is easy to 
operate and performs the double ptupose of extract- 
ing seeds and skins of fruit. 

An excellent dish-washer is a string-mop with 
a rectangular brush set in one side. The tool is 
small enough to allow the mop to be used for 
washing cups and glasses, while any material 
that has a tendency to stick can be loosened by 
means of the brush. Dishes can be washed rapidly 
by it without a dish pan and with merely a fine 
stream of hot water from the faucet. Only silver 
and glassware require drying. 

A fruit and jelly strainer is made of a domett 
flannel bag reaching to an apex at the bottom and 
fastened at the top to a small hoop which holds 



• 



Modem Conveniences 83 

the top open for pouring in the fruits. This is 
also excellent in making pot cheese. This article 
can be made at home by anyone at all clever in 
making such things, or it can be purchased for a 
small sum. 

The problem of cleaning the baby's nipples is 
solved by the use of an opal-glass nipple-turner. 
With one of these turners it is a simple matter 
to keep the nipples clean and sanitary, and they 
are not expensive. The nipple merely turns inside 
out over the turner, and back again after cleaning. 

A knife grinder will soon save the cost of itself, 
not to mention the interminable wait at times 
when sending a knife to the butcher to be sharp- 
ened, or waiting for a man to come arotmd with 
a wheel. 

A molding board and rolling pin covered with a 
closely woven, heavy white duck is a boon to the 
cook. They are not intended to be washed, but 
merely cleaned and rolled up. 

A dish scraper made of thick white celluloid is 
nearly noiseless and can be used without fear of 
scratching aluminum or enamel ware. It is made 
to fit into every angle of a pot and has a deep cut 



84 Modern Conveniences 

which enables one to scrape the rims of rolled- 
rim utensils. 

To be a successful cake, bread, or custard baker, 
one must be accurate in measurements. A set oj 
spoons of three sizes j one quarter teaspoon, one half, 
and a whole teaspoon come fastened together on a 
ring and by their use one can be sure of getting 
the mixture alike each time. 

Bread makers and cake makers reduce the labor 
of mixing pastry and bread to a minimum. They 
wear forever and the money spent may well be 
considered a lifetime investment. 

A food chopper cannot be dispensed with in any 
well ordered kitchen. Meat can be utilized by 
its use in ways that would be impossible if it had 
to be cut with a knife. 

There is a basket made for holding the paper bag 
used in paper bag cookery. It is really a perforated 
oblong metal box with handles and a removable 
lid. Inside a special paper lining is folded to hold 
the food. The basket may be carried to the table 
upon a tray. 

Glass baking dishes are quite the most attractive 
dishes made which can be used for baking and 
carried to the table straight from the oven. They 



<i 



Modern Conveniences 85 

are not expensive and the glass has been treated 
in such manner that they do not break easily. 

An inexpensive silver-clean-pan renders the task 
of cleaning silver an easy one. The process of 
cleaning is merely to put a little salt and soda in 
hot water and pour into the pan and let the silver 
soak in the solution for half an hour. If it is 
then washed with soapy water no tarnish will 
remain. 

A pasteurizer is manufactured which permits 
the pasteurization of milk in the home. It is 
practical and easy to operate and as pasteurized 
milk is recognized as being the only safe milk to 
use, it is highly recommended where there are 
young children. 

For a small sum yotir milk bottles can be sup- 
plied with a cover and cap lifter j insuring the milk 
from absorbing the odors of the icebox. They 
are made of aluminum and never wear out. 

In communities where the drinking water is 
found to be unhealthy, a water-still will be found 
very desirable. There is one made which can be 
used on a coal or gas stove. The cost of using is 
not as great as the charge for bottled water. 



86 Modern Conveniences 

The exhilaration from a shower bath can be in- 
dulged in even in a bathroom where the shower 
has not been supplied. A device is manufactured 
which can be attached to any modern tub with 
the aid only of a screwdriver. The shower 
throws four converging needle-spray streams over 
the body, and when properly attached not a drop 
of water can possibly splash out of the tub on the 
bathroom floor. 

A bathtub which is inexpensive and most desirable 
for use in the nursery during illness, or in the 
basement for the maid if a set-in tub is considered 
too expensive, comes in the form of a collapsible 
canvas tub. It can be easily filled by means of 
a hose even at a distance from the faucet, and an 
opening at the bottom permits it to be drained 
readily. 

A washing machine is a big investment in the 
beginning, but it will pay for itself many times as 
a laundress can do the work in half the time with 
this device. It is easy to operate and the cost 
of operation is slight. 

An automatic suction washer will wash every- 
thing from blankets to fine laces. It is especially 
valuable for washing delicate fabrics as by its use 



Modern Conveniences 87 

hard rubbing is avoided. It is extremely easy 
to operate and can be purchased for fifty cents. 

There is a small and inexpensive mangle made 
that is suitable for smoothing towels and other 
small fiat work. If properly folded even large 
pieces can be satisfactorily ironed. This mangle 
has no heated roll, but depends for its efficiency 
on the pressure obtained between two rollers. It 
operates by hand and turns easily. By the use 
of this mangle the fresh ozone-odor obtained from 
hanging the clothes in the open air is retained. 

A gas incinerator installed in the chimney flush 
with the wall for the disposal of garbage settles 
the timeworn question. The cost of operating 
is very slight. The price of the incinerator ranges 
according to the size. 

A gaS'Saver consists merely of a piece of sheet 
metal lined with asbestos. When placed over a 
gas-flame, three irons can be more evenly heated 
than over the burner alone and in less time. Four 
irons can be heated and kept going on ironing day. 

A safety gasoline can which can be recommended 
is made of galvanized steel plate with a double- 
seamed bottom. It is designed with an automatic 



88 Modern Conveniences 

self-closing cap which shuts the can tightly and 
prevents the escape of vaporized gasoline and any 
dangerous collecting of the gas within the room. 
The safety device can be installed on tanks of any 
capacity, or the cans can be purchased in one-gill 
to five-gallon sizes. 

A certain shade bracket which can be used on any 
window and adjusted to suit the convenience 
enables one to lower the top sash and raise the 
lower .sash at the same time without cutting off 
ventilation from either end. It is very inexpensive. 

A collapsible bed will solve the problem for the 
guest in a small apartment. By pressing a spring 
at the head and foot of the bed, it springs back 
automatically and standing revealed is a bed all 
made up, mattress, linen, and pillows complete. 
During the day it is folded up and slipped under 
an ordinary brass or iron bed. 

A bed lately manufactiu*ed for use in the Eastern 
States is sanitary and comfortable. This bed 
merely hangs on a peg on the door jamb and when 
not in use swings back into a closet or dressing- 
room, making a sitting-room of what otherwise 
would be a bedroom. This bed comes in several 
different styles and can be adjusted to almost any 



Modern Conveniences 89 

room. It is being much used in small apart- 
ments and in hotels. 

A dining-room service wagon is of inestimable 
value to the woman with little or no maid service. 
They are made with one, two, and three shelves and 
can be rolled with ease to the dining-room table 
and then rolled aside with one movement of the 
hand. They are very attractive in appearance 
and will add to the effect of the dining-room. 

A ventilated table pad is made which is entirely 
sanitary and heat proof and will protect the most 
delicate piece of wood. One side of this pad has 
a surface which can be easily washed while the 
other side is of felt and makes an excellent covering 
for using the table as a card table. 

An excellent little hook for keeping track of house- 
hold expenses can be purchased for fifteen cents and 
has a page for each week in the year. It is ar- 
ranged in columns for the days and weeks, with 
separate columns for groceries, meats, butter, 
milk, bread, etc., enabling one to tell at a glance 
just what the daily or weekly expense is. 

A knife for curling ostrich feathers can be pur- 
chased for a small sum and one can be one's own 
milliner as far as this art is concerned. 



90 Modem Conveniences 

An easel curtain stretcher is made of wooden 
strips fastened together to fit any size curtains. 
To the back of each strip is attached an adjust- 
able support so that the stretcher may be set up 
as an easel before the curtains are attached. 
When not in use the stretcher folds up compactly 
and occupies Uttle room. By washing curtains 
at home their life is prolonged. 

A shoe stretcher for use at home can be purchased 
and will pay for itself many times over in the 
convenience in using. 

A garment hanger for attaching to a closet door 
can be thrown into an upright position with from 
two to ten garments on it without crushing them. 
They come in various sizes and vary in price from 
$1.00 to $4.00. For traveling they are indispen- 
sable as they do away with having to pack the 
ordinary heavy coat hangers in such abundance. 

A sanitary toilet cleanser which does away with 
the use of brushes and mops consists of a pair of 
metal tongs which are used in connection with 
sheets of chemically treated paper. The paper 
is crumpled into a ball, put into the toilet by the 
use of tongs, and used to scrub the bowl. After 
its use, the paper is released from the tongs and 



Modem Conveniences 91 

goes down with the flush. The hands do not 
come in contact with the bowl. 

A method of cleaning windows without water is by 
the use of a chemically prepared cloth which is 
not at all harmful and which is not to be washed. 
It is very inexpensive and lasts a long time. 

An alcohol lamp is a necessary equipment for 
every nursery, sick-room, or traveling case. Elec- 
tricity cannot always be relied upon but alcohol 
can be purchased anywhere. The lamps come in 
so many styles that one can be suited whatever the 
requirement. 

A glass roach trap affords light to attract the 
pests and yet holds them when they would go out. 
This insures the children from poison used to kill 
the insects. 

A fluted French bread pan produces symmetrical, 
evenly baked loaves, capable of slicing into per- 
fect rounds. The dough is placed in one half the 
pan even with the rim ; the pan is then closed, and 
the loaf is ready for baking when the dough has 
risen to the top of the window. 

At the ten-cent store can be purchased a metal 
shade equipped with wire fasteners to be attached 



92 



Modern Conveniences 



to any electric light globe for the purpose of shad- 
ing the light, or concentrating it upon a certain 
space. Formerly this effect could be had only 
with the more expensive reading lights. 

Cork mats substituted for the old hath mat will 
absorb water and are very pleasant to stand on 
during cold days. They will effect a great saving 
in laundry and are easily cleaned. 

AMONG THE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ARTICLES FOR 

THE KITCHEN ARE THE FOLLOWING, ALL OF 

WHICH ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

An electric flatiroUj which, contrary to the 
claims of some people, does not prove expensive. 
Indeed the cost is very slight for running it. The 
kind which permits the removal of the cord after 
heating, if desired, is much preferable to the make 
that holds the cord stationary at all times. The 
cost of electricity over gas in almost any commu- 
nity is not to be considered as it is so slight and 
the convenience afforded more than makes up for 
the cost. 



An electric fluting iron consists of a rectangular 
iron with fluting-grooves. When the cloth to be 



Modern Conveniences 93 

fluted is laid over the iron proper, the upper iron 
or rocker is used to furnish the required pressure. 
It is most useful for keeping in order laces, ruffles, 
etc., which mean so much to a costiime and which 
so often are not properly ironed. 

A tubular flashlight as a substitute for the lamp 
light, and for use in traveling. It can be placed 
under the pillow at night and used at a second's 
notice. 

An electric tungsten lamp of two candle-power 
which can be burned all night at a very low cost. 
It is very useful for sick-rooms, nurseries, and for 
the bathroom when a light is desired throughout 
the night. It can be adjusted to any electric 
light bulb. 

An electric lamp intended for individual use 
can be clamped to the frame of the bed or chair 
by pulling out the felt-covered base. The aper- 
ture fits over the object to which the lamp is to 
be attached and the springs will clamp it in posi- 
tion with no danger of scratching or marring a 
polished surface. In addition, there is a suction 
cap in the base of the lamp intended for use on 
any smooth non-porous surface. It holds the 
lamp firmly and prevents the possibility of tipping 



94 Modem Conveniences 

it over, but it is not intended for use with the lamp 

■it, ■ 
in a horizontal ""position. The clamp should be 

used for this. ' A nine-foot extension cord is wound 

within the bas^. 

An electric tfiffee percolator permits coffee always 
to taste the sfeie. It is an easy way and a whole- 
some way to make coffee. The percolator is valu- 
able for other purposes than making coffee, as 
soup can be heated in it, water boiled, or it can 
/ be used for any other purpose for which any pot 
would be used. 

An electric toaster is a most handy little device, 
and if the kind selected permits the toast to be 
held at any desired distance from the heat — ^by the 
use of hinged toast-holders — toast can be made 
hard or soft, brown or tan, with no trouble what- 
ever. Also, if the top of the toaster is a level top 
instead of having a handle attached, a coffeepot 
can be set on it and kept warm. There are many 
makes and they can be purchased from two dollars 
upward. 

A combination electric broiler j toaster y boiler ^ and 
frying-pan has recently been reduced in price and 
on it a light meal can be cooked in a short time. 



11 



Modem Conveniences 95 

Eggs can be boiled, ham fried, and toast made at 
one operation. 

One electrical company makes a cooking set, com- 
posed of a flat iron, a stand on which to place the 
iron when cooking, a small pot, and a small frying- 
pan. Add to this an asbestos mat and you have a 
very complete little cooking set, combined with 
an iron, and it is most valuable when traveling. 

An electric chafing dish affords a very easy and 
charming way of entertaining. The uses to which 
a chafing dish can be put are too well known to 
give space to their enumeration. There are many 
kinds. 

An electric fireless cooker is about the last step 
in easy housework. This heats readily and quickly 
and when the current is turned off it stays hot 
until food is thoroughly cooked, or until air is 
permitted to enter the chambers. 

An ordinary electric hot-plate on which can be 
placed pots in cooking, an ordinary flatiron for 
heating, and to be used for any purpose requiring 
a fiat hot surface. 

A vacuum cleaner, which sucks up the dust and 
prevents it from flying all over the room. They 



96 Modem Conveniences 

come in many makes and care shoiild be used in 
selecting one to see that it fits the needs of the 
owner, and that it is a good strong cleaner. 

An electric immersion heater for plunging into 
cold water to heat to any temperature. 

An electric hot-pad for warming the bed on cold 
nights. These are absolutely safe and sanitary 
as they are covered with a pad that can be washed. 

An electric hot-water bottle which renders all the 
comforts to be had from any hot-water bottle. 
They come with nicely fitted felt or woolen covers. 

An electric radiator for use during the chilly 
fall days and the days in spring after the furnace 
is out. The value of this article cannot be esti- 
mated in families where there are small children or 
old people. It will heat the bathroom in a very 
small amount of time, insuring baby from colds 
contracted by chilling. For the sick-room, too, it 
will be found indispensable. 

An electric sewing machine motor is not expensive 
in comparison to its service for one who has much 
sewing to do. One is made which needs no 
adjustments requiring mechanical ability. The 
motor is placed on the machine next to the 



II 



Modem Conveniences 97 

wheel and the plug attached to any electric light 
socket. With the pedal placed on the floor and 
a slight pressure of the toe the wheel starts. For 
rapid work the pressure should be a bit harder. 
The motor costs one half cent per hour to operate 
on high speed when the current rate is ten cents 
per kilowatt hour. 



COOKING 

UTILIZING AND PRESERVING FOODS 

Soup desired to be kept for a second dinner 
should be brought to the boiling point and then 
set to cool. 

Odd pieces of meat can be used in the stock pot 
and wholesome and delicious soup will be the 
result. Left-over vegetables added will make a 
good vegetable soup. 

Cover a dish of butter with a cloth wrung out of 
cold water and the butter will keep from becoming 
rancid for a long time. 

Butter packed in a crock containing charcoal 
will stay fresh much longer than if left alone. 

Butter that has ''turned" may be freshened by 
melting and skimming and putting into it a piece 
of fresh toast. The toast absorbs the odor. 

Butter that has become rancid may be sweetened 

by soaking in water to which has been added a 

98 



Cooking 99 

handful of bicarbonate of soda. After soaking, 
wash in sweet milk (which can be used for cooking 
purposes with no waste), and it will be as good as 
new butter. 

A pinch of bicarbonate of soda added to sour 
cream will make it turn sweet again. Soda must 
not be put into fresh milk or it will give it an 
unpleasant flavor. 

Milk kept in a large shallow basin will remain 
sweet longer than if kept in a deep jug. 

Salt will curdle milk if added while cooking. 

If the gall has been broken in a chicken, soak 
the chicken for half an hour in cold water in 
which a handful of bicarbonate of soda has been 
dissolved. 

Meat placed in a bag of dry bran will remain 
fresh in hot weather. 

Soak salt fish in sour milk before cooking and 
the delicate flavor will be brought out. 

An inexpensive and delicious sandwich can be 
made from tuna flsh and celery in equal parts, 
mixed with mayonnaise dressing. Chopped green 
pepper will add to the flavor. A fifteen-cent can 



lOO Cooking 

of tuna fish and a ten-cent bunch of celery will 
make forty sandwiches, and are often mistaken 
for chicken sandwiches. 

Left-over sandwiches can be utilized as follows: 
Make a batter, exactly like you use for pancakes, 
and add to it either sugar or salt, according to 
whether the sandwiches are sweet or savory. 
Then dip each sandwich in the batter and fry a 
golden brown in fat. No matter how dry they are, 
they are delicious done in this way. 

Sandwiches will keep for hours if placed in an 
earthen receptacle and this receptacle covered and 
set in a pan of cold water. 

If waxed paper is placed over cut watermelon 
it will keep for two or three days. 

For those who are fond of watermelon and wish to 
preserve it for winter, take a good ripe melon and 
give it a coat of jap-a-lac; then bury it in the 
cellar, preferably two or three feet deep. Bran 
or dry sand will answer for burying. 

Before putting /r^^/^ berries away, turn them out 
on a plate or dish where air can circulate through 
them. They will keep much longer than if no air 
circulates. 



Cooking loi 

Lemons may be preserved from decaying by 
keeping in a jar of cold water which is renewed 
every twenty-four hours. If desired to keep them 
for months, pack in clean, dry salt. 

To utilize left-over boiled potatoes, slice them and 
add a few pieces of dry bread cut into dice and fry 
together. This makes a delicious dish. Potato 
cakes, too, made of mashed potatoes mixed with a 
little flour and an egg, and dropped into hot butter 
is a very appetizing dish. 

An apple placed in the bread or the cake box will 
keep moist and fresh. 

To keep cake fresh take two slices of bread and 
stick against the freshly cut surface of the cake by 
means of toothpicks. 

Jam that has become hard and sugary can be 
made almost as good as new by placing it in the 
oven until the sugar melts, then taking it out and 
leaving it to cool. 

Take all canndd goods from tins before putting 
away, and when putting in icebox see that they are 
covered to avoid letting the odors fill the icebox. 

A grater is much better for taking the burned 
part from toast or cake than a knife. Rub the 



102 Cooking 

cake or toast with the grater rather gently and the 
burned parts will disappear, leaving a nice smooth 
brown surface not at all disagreeable to the taste 
and not unpleasant to look at. 

To keep yeast and yet avoid an odor in the ice- 
box pack as follows : Put an inch of salt in a half- 
pint Mason jar, a cake of yeast wrapped in tin- 
foil, a half -inch of salt, another cake of yeast, etc., 
until the jar is full. The top layer should be an 
inch of salt. Screw on the cover and place in the 
icebox, or in a cool place. It will keep two or three 
weeks. 

Olive oil will not become rancid if two lumps 
of sugar (to a quart) are put in it as soon as 
opened. 

The efficient housewife keeps a supply of bread 
crumbs on hand, ready for use at any time. As 
stale bread accumulates, it should be made up 
into crumbs and put away. Glass jars or cheese- 
cloth bags are useful for storing bread crumbs. 

When using cheese for macaroni or potatoes au 
gratin, a saving of time and labor is to put the 
cheese through the food-chopper, using the fine 
cutter. All the small pieces which are so hard to 
grate can then be used. 



« 



I 



Cooking 103 

The teaspoonful of peas, the two slices of beets, 
or the stalk of celery left over from dinner can be 
utilized in the next day's salad. 

A novel salad' \s made of cold boiled macaroni, 
cooked diced carrots, and canned or fresh peas 
in equal parts. The peas should be mixed with 
the salad dressing before serving. 

A delicious cereal can be made by combining two 
left-over dishes of straight cereals, which so often 
are thrown into the garbage pail. 

The longer any kind of fat is used the less noticeable 
becomes its odor, and if the housewife will take care of 
the fat after each using she will cease to be troubled 
by the offensive odor. A small piece of bread or 
a bit of raw potato added to the fat while it is heat- 
ing will absorb any odors or impurities that may be 
in the fat. After one is through using the fat it 
should be strained, while still hot, covered, and set 
aside for use next time. If this is done the fat 
can be used any number of times and for any 
number of different foods without deterioration. 

FOWL, MEAT, FISH 

Wild ducks and geese can be easily plucked by 
taking off most of the feathers and down and 



1! 



104 Cooking 

then scalding the bird in a kettle of water to which 
has been added a couple of tablespoons of soda. 
Rub the body with a coarse towel and it will soon 
be as clean as one could wish. 

Young Jowl can he judged hy the skin of the feet. 
In young chickens the skin of the feet is tender and 
there is little fat present. In older chickens the 
skin becomes harder and the feet are scaly. Long 
hairs on a chicken are also a sign of age. Pin feath- 
ers show that the chicken is young. The pin feath- 
ers grow into hairs as the chicken becomes older. 

Chicken fat is very useful for cooking. It can 
be used where any other kind of shortening is used. 
It adds a delicious flavor to roast beef if laid on 
top while the meat is roasting, and it is a good 
addition to pot roast and can be used in pie crust 
and even cake. The fat around the intestines is 
not so delicate as that on the body of the chicken. 
This fat is an improvement over suet any time. 

A little water in the bottom of a pan when roast- 
ing a tough chicken will help to make it tender. 

A few slices of bacon placed on top of a chicken 
when roasting gives it a delicious flavor. 

The trimmings of chicken, i, e., the head, feet, and 
internal organs, make delicious chicken soup and 



Cooking 105 

should always be requested of the butcher. The 
feet contain gelatine which gives soup consistency. 

In cooking fowl in the oven, roast in the usual 
way until nicely browned; then turn it back up- 
ward and let it remain so until done. This causes 
the gravy to run into the breast, making it de- 
liciously soft and tender. 

A tough chicken can be made as tender as a young 
one by steaming for three hours before roasting. 

The gills of fresh fish are red and the eyes clear. 
Stale fish will have dull spots on it. 

Fish should have thick, firm flesh; the gills should 
be red, and the fins should be stiff, otherwise it is 
not fresh. 

When frying fish, if the pieces are put in the hot 
fat with the skin side uppermost and allowed to 
brown before turning, the fish will not break when 
cooking. 

Fish should be cleaned and wiped, sprinkled with 
salt, and wrapped in a clean, dry cloth to ensure 
proper condition. 

Salmon flavored with orange juice instead of 
lemon is a pleasing little innovation for the 
dinner table. 



io6 Cooking 

In choosing lobsters, see that the tails are tightly 
curled to their bodies. This will prove that they 
were cooked alive. 

In purchasing French lamb chops the trimmings 
should be included as they can be used in soup 
stock or can be utilized by adding a little of the 
breast of lamb a day or so later in a delicious lamb 
stew 

Mutton fat should be white and firm if the meat 
is good. 

Meat should not be put into the icebox wrapped 
in paper as the paper tends to absorb the juices. 

Meat should not be washed after coming from the 
butcher, but all surface impurities should be 
scraped with a knife. If the butcher cannot be 
trusted to handle the meat carefully, another 
butcher should be patronized. 

When boiling meat, a spoon should be used for 
turning it, as a fork will prick it and render it dry 
and insipid. 

If meat sticks to the gridiron in broiling and 
is marked by the bars the latter have not been 
well greased before putting the meat on to 
cook. 



Cooking 107 

Most cuts of meat are immensely improved in 
flavor if boiled in water in which a teaspoonful 
of lemon juice is placed. 

In choosing steak and other pieces of beef, the 
red meat should be elastic and the fat firm and 
white. 

Meats should be seasoned after being partly 
cooked. To put salt in before cooking destroys 
the flavor. 

In roasting meats, heat the oven very hot before 
putting in, that the outside of the meat may sear 
and retain the juice. 

A tough steak or other meat can be improved by 
pricking it with a fork or with a device which can 
be purchased for the purpose. Some people beat 
it with a meat-chopper instead. 

A little vinegar added to the water in which 
tough meat is cooked will make it more tender. 

In boiling meats the seasoning should be put into 
the water that it may penetrate all the meat. 

A roasting pan of enameled iron will leave the 
meat juicier than the old style of roasting pan. 
The pan should be kept on the stove until thor- 
oughly heated before putting in the meat. 



io8 Cooking 

Bacon should be selected by seeing that it has a 
stripe of fat and a stripe of lean alternately. It 
should be firm, not flabby. 

Do not prick roasting meat with a fork as the 
juice will escape. 

In making gravy for meat, use the water the 
vegetable has been cooked in and the flavor will 
be delicious. 

In frying, the fat should be hot before putting the 
meat in that the meat may be seared and the 
juices retained. 

In broiling in a gas oven, place the food to be 
broiled in a tin pie plate or a shallow roasting pan. 
In this way the juice will be saved, and, better 
still, the pan is easily washed. 

To open a sardine can, start the key in the ordin- 
ary way, give it a few turns, and then insert the 
point of the ice pick in the key loop. The pick 
will act as a lever and the whole top of the can will 
wind off easily, and every sardine will come out 
unbroken. 

EGGS 

Prick an egg with a pin before boiling and it 
will not crack. 



Cooking 109 

A cracked egg can be wrapped in a piece of waxed 
paper, or paper rubbed over with lard or butter, 
and the contents will not bubble out when boiling. 

An egg cracked at one end cannot be boiled suc- 
cessfully, but if cracked at both ends it will prevent 
waste. The egg will boil as well as if it had been 
whole. 

Coddled eggs are more healthful than boiled, as 
they cannot be cooked too much. To coddle them 
put them in a pot and pour boiling water over them 
and let stand about ten or fifteen minutes. Physi- 
cians recommend coddled eggs to boiled ones. 

Afresh egg will sink rapidly when put into water. 

A fresh egg has a rough surface, and will dry 
quickly when taken from boiling water. 

Eggs packed in salt can be kept a long time. 

Hard-boiled eggs should be cooked for at least 
twenty minutes as this makes the yolks mealy 
and renders them more digestible. 

When only whites of eggs are to be used the yolks 
may be kept fresh for several days by leaving them 
in the shell (after the whites have run out through 
a small hole). Wet paper in a little of the white 
and paste over the hole. 



1 10 Cooking 

VEGETABLES 

Potatoes cooked with their jackets on retain the 
nourishment and have a better flavor than those 
cooked after peeling, as all the sustenance is 
retained. 

Salt added to potatoes when nearly done en- 
sures flouriness and prevents them going to pieces. 

Before baking potatoes^ let them stand in hot 
water for fifteen minutes and they will require 
only half the time for baking, are more mealy and 
palatable, and if baked in a gas oven the saving of 
gas is considerable. 

Soak potatoes in cold water for two hours before 
boiling and they will be white when cooked. 

Before baking potatoes^ prick with a fork so that 
the air can escape and prevent their bursting 
while cooking. 

When making French fried potatoes they are 
often too hard all the way through or too soft, and 
not crisp on the outside. This can be prevented if 
they are soaked first in cold water, then put for a 
moment in hot water, and then dried on cheese- 
cloth. Potatoes prepared in this way will be crisp 
and light brown on the outside and soft inside. 



Cooking III 

In baking potatoes there is usually much waste, 
as a quantity of the potato adheres to the skin. 
If when preparing for baking, a little butter, lard, 
or olive oil is rubbed over the potato the skin will 
be as thin as paper and easily removed. Sweet 
potatoes may be treated in the same way. 

Potatoes mashed in the bread mixer will be as 
light and creamy as if they had been whipped. 

Add a few sprigs of mint to fresh peas and new 
potatoes when they are boiling. It will greatly 
improve the flavor. In England bunches of mint 
are always sold with messes of peas and potatoes 
for this purpose. 

Instead of shelling peas, after washing and dis- 
carding the poor ones, throw pods and all into a 
kettle of boiling water. When they are done the 
pods will rise to the surface while the peas will 
stay at the bottom of the kettle. Peas cooked 
in this manner have a fine flavor, as the pods im- 
part some of the juices to the peas. 

String beans will cook in half the time if cut 
lengthwise instead of being broken in two parts. 

To take away the strong taste of onions, pour 
boiling water over them after they have been 



112 Cooking 

sliced, then drain and pour cold water over 
them. 

To make onions tender and to fry them a golden 
brown without burning, slice them thin, place in 
the frying pan with lard, cover with cold water and 
allow them to boil briskly until the water is en- 
tirely absorbed. In the lard which was first 
placed in the pan with the water, they will fry- 
tender and brown. 

To remove the skin of a tomato, prick holes in 
the bottom with a large fork and hold it over 
the fire. This causes the skin to crack and it can 
readily be peeled without waiting for water to 
boil and sometimes soaking the tomato to a soft 
mass. 

A very ejff ective way of removing the skin of ripe 
tomatoes is to rub the tomato with the back edge of 
a silver knife. To heat a very ripe tomato leaves 
it too soft. 

When frying eggplant, tomatoes, or other vege- 
tables, which are dipped in cracker crumbs, it is 
almost impossible to fry the second pan because of 
the burned crumbs from the first pan. A piece 
of potato peeling put in the pan will clarify the fat 
and overcome the trouble. 



Cooking 113 

In preparing asparagus, if the tough ends are 
stripped of the outside skin, they will be found 
when cooked to be tender and palatable. 

It is not generally known that sweet corn which 
lacks sweetness can be made to have a luscious taste 
by putting a double spoonful of sugar into the water 
in which it is being boiled. Salt must never be put 
into the water when boiling the com as it has a 
tendency to turn it dark. 

When chipping parsley add salt to it. The pars- 
ley will chip much finer, and the salt also freshens 
the parsley. 

To separate the leaves of a head of lettuce without 
tearing them, cut the core or stem with a sharp 
pointed knife. Hold the head of lettuce under the 
cold-water faucet, allowing the water to run into 
the hole thus made. The leaves will part in per- 
fect condition. 

To dry lettuce after washing, place in a clean towel 
and step to the kitchen door and twirl it around 
and around a number of times. This drives nearly 
every particle of water out of the lettuce. 

In stuffing green peppers for baking, if they are 
oiled first they will not turn brown in the oven. 

8 



114 Cooking 

Steaming squash in the meat-roaster is far superior 
to steaming it on the stove. After washing the 
squash, cut it up, without paring, into about three- 
inch pieces, put it in the pan with a few tablespoon- 
fuls of water to prevent burning, and cover. The 
squash cooks much quicker and is drier and richer 
than when cooked in the old way. 

The healthful properties of mushrooms can be 
tested by stirring while cooking with a silver spoon. 
If there is any foreign substance in the mushrooms, 
the silver will turn. 

A pinch of bicarbonate of soda in water when 
cooking green vegetables will make them more 
tender in short cooking. Too much soda tends 
to destroy the flavor. 

A little lemon added to water in which rice is 
boiled will whiten it wonderfully. This will also 
help to keep the grains separated. 

Steamed vegetables hold their flavor longer and 
are more healthful. 

PASTRY, DESSERTS, NUTS, FRUITS 

A delicious way of baking apples is to core and 
place them in a flat pan with about an inch and a 
half of water sweetened to taste, and to which has 



Cooking 115 

been added a slice or two of lemon. Boil about 
fifteen minutes or more if necessary. Then remove 
and sprinkle the tops with granulated sugar and 
place under the broiler to brown. This gives a 
beH:ter flavor and requires less fire and trouble. If 
apples are filled with broken walnuts and honey 
they make a delicious dessert. 

Baked apples filled with nuts, cinnamon, and 
sugar are delicious and afford variety in the way 
of cooking apples. 

To make creamy apple sauce, cut the apples in 
quarters, leaving in the cores, and not peeling. 
When they have cooked thoroughly, strain, and 
afterward beat with a wooden spoon. The sugar 
should be added after cooking. 

To keep an apple pie from running out, omit 
sugar when making the pie, and cut a small slit 
across the top of it. Then dissolve one cup of 
granulated sugar, letting it boil until a sirup is 
formed. By means of a funnel pour this sirup into 
the pie, and shake thoroughly. The sugar being 
distributed evenly, the apple pie will not run out. 

By heating a lemon before squeezing it, nearly 
twice as much juice can be extracted as otherwise 
would be the case. 



ii6 Cooking 

When peeling Florida oranges set them in the 
oven to heat thoroughly for a few minutes. When 
peeled the tough white skin can be easily removed 
with the yellow rind. 

Oranges present a very attractive appearance 
when prepared flower-fashion. The skin should be 
cut down in quarters, then in eighths to within an 
inch of the blossom-end. It should then be strip- 
ped down in points and these points folded over. 

When there is a dearth of pans in which to bake 
a layer cake the difficulty can be overcome by 
putting into a loaf tin a very little batter, smooth- 
ing it down and then adding paraffin paper cut to 
fit the tin; continue as before, alternating layers 
of batter with paper. The cake will come out 
whole and can be easily separated into layers by 
lifting the paper beneath each section. When this 
is done, using a rectangular pan, the cake is novel 
in appearance and very easy to cut into a number 
of pieces. 

Using a wire egg whip for beating a cake will 
make cake of a finer grain, as well as making the 
task lighter. 

To keep wedding cake, or any fruit cake, moist, 
put it into a tin box into which there is an inch-deep 



Cooking 117 

layer of granulated sugar. Then cover it with 
sugar and fill in the space on all sides with sugar. 
Put the tight-fitting cover on securely and place 
the box in another box which has a tight fitting 
cover. Do not open until ready to use. 

An earthen howl is best for mixing cake. It 
should be warmed before the ingredients are put 
into it as the warm surface will aid in mixing the 
ingredients together. 

li fruit cake is set in the icebox for twenty-four 
hours after being made ready for the oven, it will 
be lighter from having stood overnight and the 
fruits will flavor the dough. 

To prevent custard from curdling, put the custard 
cups into a pan half filled with cold water instead of 
hot. The custard will heat more gradually and 
it will be firm and without a drop of whey. 

When boiling sauces ^ custards, etc., a clean marble 
placed in the bottom of the vessel will avoid 
having to stand and stir during the cooking pro- 
cess, and will save precious time. This marble 
will roll and bubble and prevent burning. 

When custard curdles, beat up a raw egg and 
slowly beat the curdled custard into it, thus 
smoothing it. 



Ii8 Cooking 

A deep iron pot is best for frying doughnuts, as 
it retains the heat longer than granite and is easily 
kept at a uniform temperature. Fat should be 
kept at a high temperature or the doughnuts will 
be soggy with grease. 

In making doughnuts, add one fourth teaspoonful 
of ground ginger for a delicious flavor and to keep 
the doughnuts from absorbing so much fat. 

Pastry requires a quick, hot oven. A coal fire 
should be started an hour before baking and the 
oven of a gas stove should be lighted about ten 
minutes before putting in the pastry. Test the 
heat by putting a little flour in the oven. The 
flour should brown in one minute. 

If cookies and ginger snaps are rolled the size of 
an English walnut and placed on a tin and patted 
to the right consistency with a fiat bottomed cup 
they will require no rolling pin, no cutter, and there 
will be no pieces to gather up at the end. 

It is difficult in warm weather to get chocolate 
icing to harden. A ten-cent cake of milk chocolate 
melted over hot water and used as a frosting proves 
a delicious substitute. This is much cheaper, 
too, than icing, as it eliminates sugar, eggs, and 
milk. 



1 



Cooking 119 

A small spoonful of cornstarch added to the 
ingredients for fudge will prevent it turning into 
a hardy grainy mass. The starch should be 
added before cooking. This never fails to make 
fudge deliciously smooth, firm, and creamy, and 
the cornstarch will not affect the taste in any way. 

Butter and sugar creamed for cake or hard sauce 
can be reduced to the right consistency by the aid 
of a wooden potato masher. First warm the mix- 
ing bowl before putting in the ingredients. 

A pinch of salt should be added to cream before 
whipping. As the cream thickens from beating, 
remove it with a spoon to the bowl from which it 
is to be served. Continue to beat the cream that 
remains, skimming off the fluffy top as it forms. 
Cream will whip to a surprisingly large bulk in this 
way. 

Add a sliced banana to the white of one egg and 
beat until stiff. The banana will be entirely ab- 
sorbed and you will have a delicious substitute for 
whipped cream, 

A substitute for whipped cream that cannot be 
distinguished from the genuine cream is made by 
taking any good brand of the unsweetened evap- 
orated milk, chilling it, whipping, and adding sugar 



120 Cooking 

and flavor desired, just as for genuine whipped 
cream. 

Nearly every housewife knows the value of 
paraffin wax poured over preserved fruit to keep 
the contents from molding, but she does not know 
that if a little of the melted wax is rubbed on the 
inside screw top cover, the vexation of having the 
cover stubbornly refuse to budge when the jar is 
being opened will be avoided. Before opening the 
jar, simply pour hot water over the top to melt 
the wax. 

The peelings of pears or peaches covered with 
water, sweetened to taste, and boiled until about 
the consistency of sirup will be found an ex- 
cellent substitute for maple sirups and is not 
expensive. 

The delicious spiced vinegar from cans of peaches 
can be used in a delightful way for flavoring mince- 
meat. It also makes a tasty sauce for cabinet 
pudding. 

A few slices of lemon or a small bag of spices 
cooked with prunes will improve the flavor. 

Canned goods are quite as good, and sometimes 
better, than fresh irmtfor pies and pastry. 



Cooking 121 

The kernels of apricot seed impart a delicious 
flavor when used as nuts in candy, cake, and 
cookies. 

The kernels of peach stones can hardly be dis- 
tinguished from almonds when used in candy 
and cookies. 

Raisins, dates, jigs, and nuts are healthful and 
wholesome and put into bread gives one double 
nourishment. Bread made with these palatable 
foods are particularly good for children. 

Boiling water poured over raisins will enable 
them to be seeded easily. 

To seed raisins, place them on a tin in the oven 
until thoroughly warmed, then split open, and the 
seeds may easily be taken out. 

To blanch almonds, immerse in boiling water for 
a few minutes and then throw them into cold 
water. Rub between the fingers and they will 
blanch perfectly. 

A little salt added to the whites of eggs in heating 
will make them froth quickly. 

Pouring a half cup of sweet milk over shredded 
cocoanut freshens it so that it is almost as good 



122 Cooking 

as freshly grated cocoanut. The milk should be 
pressed out by use of a wire sieve. 

A recipe for glaced candies is composed of one 
half cup water, two cups of sugar, one eighth 
teaspoon of cream of tartar. These ingredients 
should be boiled till the sirup forms a hard ball 
in cold water. Dip in the fruit to be glaced and 
set out on waxed paper to harden. 

Fruits that are juicy cannot be successfully 
glaced. They should be candied first. 

Dates can be stuffed with nuts and dipped into 
the sirup. Figs should be cut into pieces about 
one inch square and then dipped. Nuts, candied 
pineapple, orange, and cherries are often dipped 
into the sirup. The sirup should be kept in a pan 
of hot water while the fruits are being dipped. 

Several tablespoonfuls of peanut butter creamed 
with the shortening are recommended for giving 
a novel and deUcious flavor to cookies or any dark 
cake. 

If baking powder biscuits are made up at night 
and put on the ice until morning, they will be 
more light and tender than when baked imme- 
diately after stirring. This will also save time in 
the morning. 



Cooking 123 

To get the best result in baking with compressed 
yeast, crumble the yeast and add a pinch of sugar 
before soaking. This will make it rise to the top 
of the water nice and light, but it should not stand 
over eight or ten minutes or the yeast will go back 
and lose virtue and the bread will be slower to raise. 

When an ice-cream freezer is packed with ice 
and salt and it is time to begin turning, a quart of 
cold water poured into it will make the cream freeze 
in half the time. 

Flour y baking powder , and salt should be put 
through a sieve to make sure all the lumps are out. 

A stale loaf of bread can be improved by dampen- 
ing with hot water and covering with a damp 
cloth and putting in the oven to heat. 

To make the crust of bread a rich, golden brown, 
wet the top with milk before it is put into the oven. 

BEVERAGES 

Grind your own coffee if you would have the best 
results. 

Two or three marshmallows to a cup of coffee 
or chocolate is a delicious substitute for cream. 
It is really much richer than whipped cream. 



124 Cooking 

For the housekeeper who does not use a per- 
colator, the following suggestion is offered : Beat 
one egg, stir into it one pound of unground coffee 
until each bean is well covered, then spread on 
platter and dry thoroughly. When needed, grind, 
put into coffee pot, and pour on boiling water, 
according to the amount of coffee used and the 
strength desired ; boil slightly, then allow to stand 
a few minutes before pouring. One egg thus does 
duty for a pound of coffee. 

The tannin in coffee is reduced to a minimum if 
it is ground very fine, put in a linen cloth, and 
boiling water poured over it. 

In filling a coffee percolator, put a wooden meat 
skewer in the tube to keep the coffee from going 
down it. 

The flavor of coffee is improved wonderfully if the 
grounds are set over the fire before putting into the 
pot. When the aroma arises from the coffee it 
should be taken from the fire and prepared for 
percolating. On no account let the coffee burn 
while heating. This is a method followed in a 
French cafe famous for its good coffee. 

Cinnamon added to chocolate gives a delicious 
flavour. 



Cooking 125 

A drop of vanilla added to each cup of cocoa after 
pouring will improve the flavor wonderfully. 
The extra drop will not be regretted. 

ODORS 

Charcoal put into the water in which cabbage 
and ham are cooking will destroy the odor. 

A slice of stale bread put into a clean cloth and 
placed in the pot with strongs smelling vegetables 
will prevent the strong odors from permeating the 
house. It is better to have the doors closed and 
the windows open when cooking anything with a 
strong smell. 

The odor of onions can be removed much more 
quickly by the use of cold water than by the use 
of warm. 

Flour absorbs odors and should not be kept near 
meat or vegetables. 

Chickens washed in strong soda water will not 
smell disagreeable. 

Boil an onion with cabbage and there will be very 
little odor. 

CUTTING THE GAS BILL 

To lessen gas bills: Instead of cooking breakfast 
food alone in a double cooker, use a large flat- 



126 Cooking 

bottomed granite kettle with glass fruit jars, into 
which are placed the foods to be cooked, such as 
milk, rice, breakfast food, etc., each in its own 
jar. Place a thick cloth in the bottom of the kettle 
and arrange the jars upon it so that they do not 
touch each other, fill the kettle with water of the 
same temperature as the contents of the jars. 
Leave the covers of the jars on loosely. Boil until 
the food is well cooked. Rice cooked this way is 
delicious. 

Another suggestion is to place a steamer over a 
deep pan of water and while it is heating prepare 
the vegetables for dinner, making those vegetables 
ready first that require longer cooking. Steam 
all together until done. This saves gas and dishes. 

Comparatively few people realize that the gas 
bill may be cut down materially by exercising care 
in lighting the gas. Hold a lighted match over 
the burner, then very slowly turn on the gas. 
If the gas is turned on fuU force before the match 
is applied, a slight explosion occurs which affects 
the meter and sends it forward rapidly. 

The use of afireless cooker will effect a tremend- 
ous saving, both in gas and in labor. Many foods 
are much better for having been cooked in the 



Cooking 127 

fireless cooker. They can be purchased in almost 
any size and at almost any price. 

Heat your fireless cooker disks in the furnace 
instead of by gas, or on hot water heater in base- 
ment. This will effect a great saving in gas. 

It is not what one cooks but how one cooks that 
determines the expenditures made in the kitchen. 
If certain vegetables are cooked in quantities, such 
as beans, peas, cabbage, etc., the extra quantity 
can be kept over for several days, warmed and 
served again, and the flavor will be improved by 
the re-cooking. 

There is a steam cooker made which will enable 
you to cook three or four dishes at one time over 
one gas burner. 

KITCHEN CONVENIENCES 

Wire-baskets, such as are used for holding un- 
filed letters in offices, make excellent receptacles 
for vegetables in the pantry. 

An asbestos mat makes an ideal toaster. It 
becomes very hot and insures a rich, brown toast 
and no burning. This ''toaster'' requires less 
attention than the average toaster. 



128 Cooking 

A loose-leaf book about seven by ten inches is 
most convenient to have on hand in which to 
paste recipes cut from magazines and newspapers. 
They can be purchased with an alphabetical index 
on which is to be written the name of the dish and 
the number of the page. Where the sheet is too 
long for the book, do not cut, but fold back. The 
average price in black cloth is about twenty-five 
cents. 

A card index is a very systematic way of keeping 
recipes that are taken from magazines. They can 
be indexed as entered on a special index card and 
there is never the trouble of looking them up. 
An index is not really necessary if they are filed 
alphabetically. 

A simple wire device attached to the wall above 
the kitchen table will prove a boon, also a saving 
in labor for cookery purposes. It supports the 
cookbook and holds it open at the proper place. 
Another of the same kind fastened on the pantry 
cupboard doors to hold clean paper bags and wrap- 
ping papers will prove very serviceable. 

A five-cent fire shovel, with the sides flattened, 
is an excellent device for lifting hot pans from the 
oven. 



Cooking 129 

A piece of clean, white oilcloth is a good sub- 
stitute for a pastry hoard. It is more easily cleaned 
and may be rolled up for future use. 

There is a splendid solid aluminum combination 
piece that serves several purposes. It consists of 
four pieces to be used either together or separately : 
a deep fry pan with a handle, a bake pan, an egg 
poacher, and a lid to fit over all. The bake pan 
has a flaring perforated rim and can be used with 
frying pan and lid as a steamer. 

Brown pottery bowls are invaluable for putting 
away left-overs, as these foods can be warmed by 
putting the bowl into the oven with no harm to the 
pottery. 

Wooden toothpicks are more hygienic than, broom- 
straws for testing cakes, etc., and they can also be 
used for opening milk bottles, raising the paraffin 
from a glass of jelly, and for washing the crevices 
in fancy china or glass. 

In carving, if a chair is used which is slightly 
higher than the ordinary chair the task will be 
easier. 

Steel knives and forks should not be used in carving 
as they impart a disagreeable flavor. 



I30 Cooking 

A woven wire egg-beater can be used to great 
advantage in cutting shortening into flour for bis- 
cuits. The lard should be put into the bowl with 
the flour and the egg beater pressed through it 
repeatedly. 

The metal binding around worn-out asbestos 
mats can be utilized for holding wobbly saucepans 
over a gas burner. 

If a gravy boat is used for filling jars with pre- 
serves or jellies there will be no spilling and sticki- 
ness, usually attached to such work. 

If the things to be used together are kept in close 
proximity much time will be saved and many steps 
spared. For instance, the tea should be kept near 
the canister, the bread knife near the bread board, 
etc. 

Mats made from white pyramid rubber-matting, 
such as is used for automobiles, are better than 
asbestos mats to protect a dining-room table. These 
can be bought at small cost in stores that carry 
rubber goods. Such mats can be washed when 
soiled. Covers can be made of linen. 

Two home-made iron holders fastened together 
by a tape a yard long and thrown around the neck 



Cooking 131 

will save having to look for a towel in handling hot 
dishes. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

If cereals, rice, etc., stick to the vessel in which 
they are cooked, add a cupful of wood ashes and 
fill with water and leave to soak. 

Fat need not necessarily be used for foods in 
frying. Simply rub the pan with common table 
salt then shake it out and put in the meat to be 
fried. 

When rendering fats from meat, skins, or waste 
pieces of meat, slice raw potatoes and drop in the 
pan until browned. This will clarify the fat and 
leave it as bright as clear lard. 

Tough meats cooked in a common stone jar, with 
vegetables, seasoning, and plenty of water make a 
nourishing and delicious dish. A stone jar is as 
good as a casserole and with a lid is excellent for 
keeping pickles, etc. Beans are better for being 
cooked in a stone jar. 

Soup poured through a cloth will have all the 
fat removed. 

A delicate thickening for soups is made by the 
use of Pearl of Tapioca, Boil the tapioca until clear 



132 Cooking 

and then strain the liquid into the soup. The 
result is clear soup. 

Place salt in the oven under the baking tins and 
the contents will not scorch on the bottom. 

Never use bread and meat knives around the heat 
as it will temper the edges. 

In cases of emergency, when it is necessary to 
cut fresh bread and the knife refuses to work proper- 
ly, heat the knife and the bread will cut easily. 
To do this often, however, is death to the knife. 

When placing a dish on the ice to cool, place a 
rubber ring from a fruit jar on the ice first and the 
dish will not slip off. 

To leave a fork or other metal in a pot which is 
desired to heat rapidly will deflect the heat and 
prolong the time of reaching the boiling point. 

An ordinary clothespin is very practical for 
holding small basins on the stove to keep them from 
moving about when stirring the contents. This 
also prevents m^ny a burn. 

A cork stuck on a kettle cover will prevent burns 
on fingers when lifting the cover in a hurry. They 
can be fastened on easily and neatly with a piece 
of picture wire. 



Cooking 133 

Keep salt cellars setting on or near a coal stove 
and the salt will keep warm and remain dry. 

A teaspoonful of cornstarch added to a cupful 
of salt and mixed thoroughly will keep salt from 
sticking in damp weather. 

Cream will be prevented from dripping down the 
side of the pitcher if a little butter is rubbed on 
the under side of the spout. 

When serving butter in cubes, if a small piece of 
the paper in which the butter is wrapped is placed 
over the blade of the knife with which the butter 
is being cut the edge will be smooth and even. 

If a quantity of browned flour is kept on hand 
for making gravy a great deal of time will be saved. 

Dishes will hold their luster if they are warmed 
by placing in hot water instead of being put into a 
hot oven to heat. 

To prevent a fireless cooker from rusting, rub 
the compartments with a cloth on which has been 
poured a few drops of olive oil. This will also 
remove stains very effectively. 

A zinc-lined refrigerator is dangerous. Steam 
arising on food drips back and settles in the form 



134 Cooking 

of poison. Anyone owning such a refrigerator 
should paint the zinc with a couple of coats each 
of flat white paint and then a couple of coats of 
white enamel. There will be no danger of the food 
acquiring a disagreeable taste if the enamel is per- 
fectly dry before using the refrigerator. 

The pivot and cogs of an egg heater, and indeed 
of any other article that has wheels to turn, or 
hinges to move, should he oiled occasionally with a 
drop of olive oil, or machine oil. Anything to be 
used in cooking, however, should be treated with 
olive oil, as there is a possibility of the oil coming 
in contact with food. 

When gravy does not hrown pour into it a table- 
spoonful of coffee. It will brown immediately 
and contain no taste of coffee. This is quicker 
than browning flour when in a hurry. 



THE CHILDREN 



THEIR CARE 






Much has been written about the baby, yet 
much will continue to be written, for there are 
always new mothers and new babies, and while the 
fundamentals of motherhood do not change, the 
viewpoint of mothers does change with the years. 
What was good for the baby of forty years ago is 
not good for the baby of to-day. Forty years ago 
the baby was cuddled, held in the arms during 
most of its waking hours, and indeed many of its 
sleeping hours were spent in the arms of a fond 
relative who would not waken him by putting him 
down. Forty years ago the baby had soothing 
sirup or paregoric poured down its little stomach 
if it chose to have a good cry. To-day it is re- 
cognized that the best treatment for the baby is 
to leave it alone, to put it outdoors, and seemingly 
to forget it, and if it wants to cry, let it do so, 
thereby exercising and strengthening its young 

lungs 

135 



136 The Children 

At one time the baby at an early age was given 
to eat whatever its elders ate. This was not as 
harmful to the country baby as to the city baby, 
for the country baby had plenty of fresh air to 
help keep the system in good condition, and it had 
it all the time, and as a consequence the country 
baby thrived while the city baby did not, and as 
a final consequence it was the country boy who 
made a name for himself, for the city baby had 
not the physique to stand the strain that one 
pays for success. 

The first thought to be given a child is with 
regard to its physical welfare, and this thought 
should be given at least nine months before the 
baby is born. If the mother's forethought has 
been preceded by the forethought of a generation 
before, the baby's health is more certainly assured. 
But each generation has to answer for itself and 
the least a mother can do is to think of the baby's 
health as soon as she knows there is to be a little 
one. 

As soon as knowledge has come to the mother of 
the little life so soon to be, she should pay particular 
attention to her own diet and exercise. To neglect 
this gives the baby the wrong start and this is not 
fair to the baby nor to the mother. A mother who 
does not have proper care given to her physically 



The Children 137 

through the nine months preceding the birth of her 
child is likely to have a cross, nervous, and irri- 
table child, who will be a constant care and strain on 
the mother or nurse for the first few years of its 
life, and possibly for all its life, for mother love 
will make a hard fight when it comes to disciplining 
a sickly baby. If the mother can afford to place 
herself in the care of some good physician, pre- 
ferably one who makes a specialty of obstetrics, 
and will follow his directions, she will be safe. 
Particularly a physician should be recommended 
for the first child, as very few young women have 
had the proper training for motherhood before it 
comes, and great harm often results from careless- 
ness or ignorance of normal care during pregnancy. 
However, this involves an expense too great for 
the majority of young couples and in its stead 
there are to be had a number of good books on the 
subject written by reputable physicians, and these 
books give good information for the average case. 
They are not expensive but if even the slightest 
expense is to be considered, they can usually be 
procured from a public library. 

At about the fourth month the mother should 
begin to think of developing the mentality of the 
child. To read only worth while literature, to 
think good and pleasant thoughts, and to train 



138 The Children 

herself in self-control will produce wonderful 
results in the child's personality and mental ac- 
tivity. A great deal can be done by environment 
and training after the child is born, but hered- 
ity still has its place in the minds of thought- 
ful people, and prenatal influence is one of its 
branches. 

We have all read of the many cases which have 
been investigated by the authorities and which 
have proven that criminal thoughts in ancestors 
create criminality in offspring, and while prenatal 
influence is scoffed at by many, it is nevertheless 
recognized by scientific men who have made of it 
a special study. In small towns where a prospec- 
tive mother has a chance to talk with other mothers, 
case after case will be found of happy children 
whose mothers will tell you that they were happy 
and free from care during pregnancy, and of other 
children with disagreeable, fractious natures, 
whose mothers will reluctantly admit that they 
were ill or nervous or worried during the nine 
months while the children were being carried. A 
mother who does all her own housework may feel 
that her life is too full to permit of rest and recrea- 
tion while getting ready for the little one, but 
if plain clothes are substituted for the heavily 
embroidered and much-be-ribboned dresses, and 



The Children 139 

a rest taken regularly twice a day — just before 
noon and again in the afternoon — she will find 
that not only can she accomplish more during the 
hours she does work, but most certainly she will be 
able to accomplish more after the child arrives, for 
it will be a calm, peaceful, and happy baby who 
will sleep most of the time. 

If the nine months have been filled with right 
thinking, physically and mentally, the mother has 
a splendid start, not only with the baby's young 
mind and body, but she has also equipped herself 
with the necessary tools for training the baby 
after it has arrived. 

A baby should be left to itself. A baby left in 
its carriage is a better baby than a baby held in 
the arms. A poor little sickly baby has a strong 
appeal, and it seems cruel to leave it to itself, but 
picture an adult, who is ill, held close to someone 
continuously. Babies are largely creatures of 
habit, and they will grow just as fond of a good 
habit as of a bad one, and vice versa. Half an 
hour of play in the morning and another in the 
afternoon is all that a young baby should have. 
A little play is desirable to quicken its mental 
faculties, but a baby should not be unduly excited 
for the first few months of its life. This period 
should be given over to the physical well-being, 



140 The Children 

and the physical is retarded if the mind is too 
active at first. 

Baby's food is extremely important. It is 
better to have a physician prescribe a formula, 
which he has decided upon by a direct examination 
of the little body. Everything depends upon the 
right food and to feed the baby the proper food at 
the right time will save many doctor bills. The 
right food for a young baby is, of course, mother's 
milk, provided the mother is in good health. If the 
mother's health is not good, then it stands to reason 
that she cannot transmit healthy milk. The belief 
that a mother should nurse her child no matter 
what her condition is erroneous. No one believes 
in drinking the milk of an unhealthy cow, but be- 
cause doctors agree that mother's milk is best, the 
layman goes further and believes what doctors do 
not, that unqualifiedly mother's milk is always 
best. No mother can say what is best for the 
other mother's baby. Only a physician can de- 
termine this, but when the right food is found it 
should be given in the quantities found suited to 
the little body and should under all circumstances 
be given with the most exacting regularity. 

The bath often stands in the way of training the 
baby, for if a baby hates his bath, the mother 
often puts it off as long as she can. A bath is not 



The Children 141 

only for the purpose of cleanliness, but it is very 
important in insuring the health of the youngster. 
We breathe through the pores of our skins and if 
they are clogged, we cannot get the necessary fresh 
air into our systems. Baby should have his bath 
with the same degree of regularity as his food, and 
if he is not frightened by splashing or harsh treat- 
ment, the chances are that he will love it. If he 
has once been frightened by having the water too 
cold or by being splashed in the face, celluloid 
bath toys in the form of gaily colored animals, dolls, 
and birds put into his tub will keep him interested 
and by and by he will forget his fear. 

The custom of keeping a child away from other 
children is not advisable if the other mothers use 
any discretion or judgment in rearing their children. 
Sooner or later a child must learn to discriminate, 
and a child who is kept to itself and never comes in 
contact with the naughtiness of other children is 
not better off for it. At the early age of two a child 
can be taught to distinguish good from bad, and 
playing with another baby, unless the other baby 
is incorrigible, is not going to harm it in the long 
run. Better that a mother should learn to dis- 
cipline at this age than to train a child along the 
line of least resistance until school age arrives when 
the child will be disillusioned by seeing that other 



142 The Children 

seemingly good children are naughty and undis- 
ciplined. If a child is taught obedience in a firm 
and strict sense the companionship of other chil- 
dren is not going to harm it. 

Above all things a child should not be shielded 
from every little hurt. Let him have a few knocks 
and learn how to take them at an early age rather 
than have him wait until he goes to school where 
he will get hard blows and have no individual 
interest taken in him to show him how to protect 
himself. A child should be allowed to climb, 
after having been taught how to cUmb ; he should 
be allowed to swim after having received proper 
instructions in swimming; and the earlier he is 
taught the better. To coddle a boy and make a 
sissy of him may affect his whole future career, 
particularly if he be naturally a sensitive boy. A 
Uttle girl should be reared along practically the 
same lines as a little boy, except where a boy is 
taught chivalry and manliness, a little girl should 
be drilled in gentleness and sympathy. As soon 
as a boy is old enough to wear a hat which to him 
is related to a man's hat, he should be taught to 
lift his hat to older men and to ladies as a man does, 
and as soon as he is old enough to go calling he 
should be taught to rise when a lady or an old man 
comes into the room. If boys are taught this little 



The Children 143 

mark of respect, they will enjoy practicing it, and 
they will learn to be graceful in little attentions 
and be spared the painful self -consciousness which 
comes from the neglect of early courtesies. For 
grown-ups to recognize these little courtesies 
in a child will help a parent immeasurably in the 
training, and when a child has received such care- 
ful training at home, it seems almost criminal for 
a thoughtless adult to come into a room and not 
speak to him. After all, every man or woman is 
responsible in some degree for the training of every 
child with whom he or she comes in contact. Boys 
and girls alike should be taught modesty and 
honor, and these two qualities alone will safeguard 
a child from many harmful influences that may 
come in the future. A girl or a boy who is taught 
modesty, honor, and conventionality is not going 
far wrong. If a child is taught to be honest by 
never telling him a falsehood, by not frightening 
him into one, and by seeing his parents live up to 
their responsibilities, his honor is safe, and even if 
his character is weak in spots and gross mistakes 
are made in after years, in ninety-nine cases out 
of a hundred he will come back. 

If a child is given a certain amount of responsi- 
bility, if he is assigned daily tasks with the know- 
ledge that they can under no circumstances be 



144 The Children 

neglected, the responsibilities of after-life will not 
weigh so heavily upon him. He will have learned 
how to cope with them. This responsibility often 
comes to an older child through the care of and 
love for a younger brother and sister, and for this 
reason we find many of our little citizens of the 
yoimgest child class totally different from the 
more reliable brothers and sisters, and thoroughly 
spoiled. A mother will often say, ''Well, he is the 
baby, '' and he is taught that he is a more choice 
morsel of htmianity than the children who came 
before him, and because he is the baby, and because 
he is cute and dear, the older children only too 
often acquiesce in this robbing him of his heritage 
in the nature of training for unselfishness and 
a sweet disposition. The baby of the family is 
much to be pitied because of his position, more so 
even than the only child. 

A room to himself is something every child 
should have from the age of four, if possible, but 
if this cannot be permitted him, then a division of 
the room shared with other children should always 
be arranged. To have something for his very own 
gives him a sense of ownership and responsibility 
which only those can appreciate who have never 
had it. It has been said that one of the greatest 
crosses for a convict to bear is that of being herded 






The Children 145 

in with ever so many other human beings and not 
permitted to feel that anything belongs to him. 
So to develop a sense of ownership means to 
develop a sense of responsibility. 

Confidence between a thoughtful parent and a 
child is the greatest safeguard a child can have. 
A child who has been taught from babyhood to 
confide in father and mother, not in a complaining 
or petulant sense, but with the thought of telling 
mother or father about it, is not going to withhold 
his confidence in later years. So strong are our 
babyhood habits fixed in us, that it is entirely 
within the parents' power to mold or mar the 
character of son or daughter by the observance 
or neglect of establishing confidential relations at 
a very tender age. 

A child will not be happier for being permitted 
to shout and annoy the neighbours; he will not be 
the wiser for quizzing someone who is not a natural 
instructor of children, and he will not have a 
sunny nature developed from loitering around 
adults who have not patience with children. If 
you want your child to be a welcome guest in the 
homes of your friends, teach him to be as thought- 
ful of the desires of your hostess as you yourself 
are. Because he is a child is no reason whatever 
for making of him a little nuisance who is dreaded 



146 The Children 

by everyone in the neighborhood. Three very 
important things should be instilled into the child's 
nature from the beginning, and they are: Sym- 
pathy, Usefulness, and Consideration. 

GENERAL HEALTH 

A highly recommended sleeping schedule for 
children is as follows: 

The first three months a baby should sleep 
twenty hours out of the twenty-four. 

At six months, he sleeps twelve hours at night 
and has a two-hour nap both morning and after- 
noon. 

After six months one nap, preferably in the 
afternoon. 

Until the seventh year every child should have 
twelve hours' sleep at night. 

A small baby should be turned over once in awhile 
during his nap to rest his little body. 

It is hardly necessary to emphasize to-day that 
babies should not be given soothing sirup or other 
sleeping potions. If the baby does not sleep na- 
turally, the cause should be located and remedied, 
not hidden. 



The Children 147 

See that your child sleeps in a straight, comfortable 
position. When the young bones are habitually 
bent, they are likely to cause curvature of the spine, 
crooked limbs, etc. 

Do not let the baby sleep in a draught. Keep the 
windows open wide, but put a screen around his 
bed. 

Wrinkles in the bedclothing will sometimes irri- 
tate the tender flesh of a young child and cause him 
to cry until either taken up, which results in spoil- 
ing him, or exhausted. 

When baby squirms and fusses during sleep, try 
turning him over on the other side for awhile. 

A baby should not be wakened to show to admiring 
friends, unless just before his feeding hour, and no 
one should be permitted to bounce or trot him. 

A baby's bath should be given at a regular hour 
daily and he should be dealt with very gently in 
order not to shock his little nerves and give him a 
fright. The temperature of the bath should be 
from 95 to 98 degrees at first and gradually cooled 
until it is about 80 degrees at ten weeks. 

An hour should elapse after a baby's feeding 
before his bath is given. 



148 The Children 

Make the bath a playtime and as soon as the child 
can stand them give him cold baths. Begin with 
making the bath water a little less warm, working 
gradually toward cold water. If you give his 
system a shock by plunging him suddenly into 
a cold bath, he will be frightened. An excellent 
method of bathing the baby is to give him a shower 
from the shampoo spray. In this way the water 
can be gradually u^ed cooler and cooler until the 
required temperature is produced. Cold baths 
harden the system and prevent colds. 

Instead of holding a child over a basin for a 
shampoo, let it lie flat on the couch as comfortable 
as possible. The basin of water should be about 
the same height as the child's head. Besides 
making the task so much easier for the child the 
work of drying and combing is lessened as the hair 
has been in a natural position all the time. 

To wash baby with the hands is much better than 
to use a cloth. The hand can get in the little curves 
better, is safer, and baby enjoys it much more. 

A soft cameFs-hair brush is the best thing to use 
in applying talcum powder to the baby's body. 

A warm bath at bedtime will often soothe and 
quiet a restless baby. 



The Children 149 

If your child breathes with his mouth open, have 
him examined for adenoids, and if any are found, 
have them removed. If allowed to grow the evil 
caused cannot be estimated. 

Supposedly inattentive children are often slightly 
deaf. Never attribute inattention to a child un- 
less you know his hearing is good. Deafness is 
often caused by adenoids at a very early age, 
growing gradually until the patient is stone deaf. 
Neglect only is the factor. 

Do not let people kiss the baby on the cheek or 
lips. 

When the baby is ready to stand he will find his 
own feet. A healthy baby will stand and walk in 
due season, his natural energy urging him onward. 

A baby carriage is much easier propelled by push- 
ing than by pulling when traveling over sand and 
gravel. 

Keep your baby away from sick people and out of 
crowds. 

A baby needs exercise, so do not keep the little 
one tied in his chair or go-cart too much. His 
muscles are developed by creeping and climbing 
and to tie him down retards his growth. 



I50 The Children 

School children should have individual drinking 
cups. Diseases that spread in school most fre- 
quently come from the water pail or drinking 
fountain. 

To tickle a baby is criminal. It excites his nerves 
and makes him laugh for the time being, but he is 
soon exhausted and will grow fretful and nervous. 
Habitual tickling develops a set of nerves in a 
young body that should not know nerves. To play 
with the baby the latter part of the day is likely 
to make him grow fatigued and become restless 
that night. Over- stimulation of any kind is to be 
avoided, no matter what its source. 

Fresh air is as necessary for a baby as for an 
adult but it should be given gradually to a young 
infant. 

A baby's ears should lie flat under his head when 
at sleep. If they have been allowed to become 
prominent from careless laying down when sleep- 
ing an ear cap should be worn, purchasable at any 
infants' wear department in a store. 

In the Southern States it is a sort of prophecy 
among the children that if they go out in the first 
May rain they will not catch cold during the season, | 

so the first May rain is hailed with delight. Not 



The Children 151 

so muchj by the children, to avoid colds, but for the 
lark. Rain water is beneficial to the child and a 
shower is very good for him so long as he is not 
permitted to get chilled, which he seldom does at 
that season in that latitude. Let the children 
don their bathing suits, or some old clothing, on a 
mild rainy day and they will be all the hardier for 
it. They should not be permitted to stand around 
with wet clothing on. If a child cannot stand a 
good drenching, mackintosh and rubbers should 
be put on, with a good head covering, and the 
child let loose. 

Habits in a baby are formed very early and either 
good or bad ones can be established by training. 
They should be trained to regular habits for eating 
and sleeping and bathing, and trained out of the 
habits of fast eating, lack of cleanliness, sucking 
thumbs, and biting nails. Children readily copy 
what they see and hear and as a consequence 
they should not hear squabbles among adults 
and should be given every chance to observe 
courtesy. 

If a baby's nerves are excitable and he is thin and 
easily irritated great precaution should be exer- 
cised with regard to his habits, but never mention 
his nerves in his presence. 



152 The Children 

Too much care cannot be taken of baby's nipples 
and bottles, A bottle should be washed with a 
solution of water and bicarbonate of soda as soon 
as emptied. It should next be boiled and filled 
with boracic acid solution until ready for use. 
Nipples should be washed immediately and left 
to soak in boracic acid solution. 

A soothing lotion for the sunburned skin of the 
baby is a teaspoonful of soda to a pint of water. 
Cold cream is also helpful to take out the burning 
sensation and keep the skin soft. 

When baby is feverish he may often be soothed 
by being given a sponge bath of eight ounces of 
alcohol added to a quart of warm water. 

White vaseline rubbed on the baby's head is 
an excellent preventive of scurvy and acts as a 
splendid tonic for the growth of the hair. 

Colic can oftentimes be relieve in a young baby 
by rubbing his back or by wrapping him up very 
warmly. 

A simple and safe laxative for children is made 
by placing a pound of washed figs and a cupful of 
pure olive oil in an agate saucepan and allowing 
them to simmer gently on the back of the stove 
until the figs are plump and tender; then remove 



The Children 153 

them to a glass jar. Add to the sirup the juice of 
a lemon and a tablespoon of honey and boil until 
thick. Pour this over the figs and keep tightly 
covered. A single fig will often prove all that is 
necessary. 

Bitter medicine poured into a spoonful of sweet 
cream will be taken readily by even a small 
child. A spoonful of cream taken before the med- 
icine, too, will rid the mouth of the unpleasant 
taste. 

To remove a splinter from young flesh, take a 
wide-mouthed bottle and fill with hot water and 
turn the neck against the splinter. The suction 
will draw the flesh down and the steam will cause 
the splinter to come out unless very deep, and will 
also draw out the soreness. 

When the baby has convulsions his head should be 
kept cold and his feet warm. If there is an ice- 
cap in the house apply it to his head filled with 
cracked ice. If not, use cold cloths, changing 
them constantly, and put his feet in a hot mustard 
bath. The bath should be 105 degrees Fahrenheit. 
If there is no thermometer to register the tempera- 
ture, the water should be tested by the mother's 
elbow and it should be as hot as she can bear it 



154 The Children 

comfortably. The doctor should be sent for as 
soon as possible in all cases of convulsions. 

Half a cupful of tepid water in which a pinch of 
mustard has been dissolved will cause vomiting in 
a case of croup. Hot flannels wrung out of hot water 
should be applied to the throat and the child should 
be made to inhale steam until the doctor arrives. 

If a button, penny, or other object is swallowed by 
the baby he should not be given a cathartic to rush 
the object through and perhaps cause it to per- 
forate or injure the walls of the intestines. The 
child should be given plenty of soft food to eat in 
order to coat the object. Oatmeal, farina, prunes, 
etc., are advisable. 

If a child gets a foreign object up the nose, com- 
press the opposite side of the nose and make the 
child blow hard if he can do so. If not, try to 
make him sneeze by tickling the nose with a feather 
or letting him smell pepper. 

Do not fool with an article in the ear unless it can 
be seen. Send for the doctor as soon as possible. 

Cathartics should not be given a baby to regulate 
bowel movement unless on advice of a physician. 
An attempt should be made to regulate the bowels 
by the diet. 



The Children 155 

THE TEETH AND EYES 

A baby's gums should be cleaned daily with cot- 
ton dipped in boracic acid and as soon as teeth 
appear they should get regular attention. 

When baby is teethings the new tooth will be 
helped through and the baby soothed by giving 
him a hard rubber or ivory ring. 

The care of baby teeth is very important as bear- 
ing upon the condition of the permanent teeth. 
The primary teeth, if decaying, may infect the 
second or permanent teeth, ruining them for life. 
Or, they may, by falling out before their time, 
deform the soft, easily molded jaw. If they are 
broken or decayed, they will cause imperfect 
mastication, resulting in stomach trouble. 

Baby's teeth should be kept scrupulously clean. 
At first they should be washed with a clean cloth 
and the cloth should be destroyed after being used 
unless the precaution is taken to boil it. A tiny 
toothbrush should be used when the mouth is 
about filled with teeth. Tooth powder should be 
used in the morning and an antiseptic wash at 
night. A dentist had better recommend the wash. 

If the baby has crooked teeth, they can easily be 
set right while he is young — a process that causes 



156 The Children 

much pain and sometimes even embarrassment, in 
later years. 

The six-year molars are the most valuable asset 
that humanity has in the way of teeth, being the 
real workers of the crop. They will do most 
of the work throughout hfe, if properly cared 
for. 

Too much stress cannot be put upon the caution 
to keep the glaring sun out of your child's eyes. 
Pew nursemaids realize this and many mothers 
are prone to neglect this. If you are facing the 
sun when rolling the baby out, turn the baby with 
his back toward the sun. Baby's eyes are weak- 
ened by this glare, and even an adult will find it 
trying. 

A glass shield can be purchased at slight expense 
to stand in baby's carriage and protect the little 
eyes from the strong winds and the tender skin 
from dust. 

FOOD 

Children with poor appetites should not be al- 
lowed to eat between meals, nor should they ever 
be given sweets. 



The Children 157 

Milk and eggs are important elements in a child's 
diet up to the tenth year; eggs should never be 
given fried. 

Meats should be given after the third year once 
a day, preferably at noon. 

Little children should not have ham, bacon, 
sausage, pork, liver, kidney, game, or dried and salt 
meats. 

Most meats should be rare when fed to children, 
and either scraped fine or cut into the tiniest 
particles in order to be digestible for very young 
children. 

During his second year a baby should not be 
given so much milk that he will not want to take 
the proper amount of solid food. 

A child should never be started in the habit of coffee 
and tea drinking. Many mothers who are fond of 
tea and coffee give it to a child with the idea of 
giving him pleasure, but pleasure in these drinks 
comes only from cultivating a taste for them and if 
a child never learns to care for them he will never 
form what often proves to be a most pernicious 
habit. A good cereal beverage is made from three 
pounds of whole wheat, one pound of whole barley, 
one cupful of ground chicory, three tablespoonf uls 



158 The Children 

of molasses, and three tablespoonfuls of butter. 
The wheat and barley should be roasted until 
brown, stirring often. When as dark as the coffee- 
berry, the butter and molasses should be added, 
stirring until all is absorbed and the grains separate. 
Next remove from oven and when cold add chicory. 
Grind in coffee mill or food-chopper. To make, 
use two tablespoonfuls of the cereal and one and a 
half cupfuls of cold water to each person. Boil 
gently for an hour and serve with sugar and cream 
or milk. 

A good wholesome candy for children is made from 
one cup of sugar, half a cup of weak vinegar, and a 
lump of butter. This should be cooked until 
brittle and tried in cold water. To make suckers 
whittle round smooth sticks from an ordinary pine 
box, lay the sticks on buttered paper, and pour 
a little candy on the end of each, leaving till firm 
enough to mold. These are very inexpensive. 

Bananas are more nutritious than most fruits 
but they should not be given to children until they 
are six or seven years old and then only if thor- 
oughly ripened. 

If bananas are laid away in a paper bag in a 
dark place for a few days,, they will ripen evenly 



The Children 159 

and become very wholesome food, while if eaten 
when only half ripe they are very indigestible. 

Figs and dates given to children in the place of 
candy will be very acceptable and very beneficial, 
as they will help to keep the little systems in good 
condition. 

A warm drink is more nourishing for children 
than bread and butter, cold meat, etc. Cocoa, 
however, is a difficult food for many children and 
soup and warm milk are much to be preferred. 

Never give the baby tastes of your own food. It 
is a dangerous habit. If he is old enough to have 
solid foods, he should be on a regular diet. To give 
him food which has passed through the mouth of 
another is to subject him to any disorder which 
that person may have. 

CLOTHING 

Bonnet strings fastened on by means of ** snap- 
pers " will be far more satisfactory than those sewed 
on, as they can be so easily removed to be washed. 

In sewing on buttons, begin on the right side and 
sew back and forth twice before the button is laid 
on the goods. Then the knot comes under the 



i6o The Children 

button, and is not on the wrong side of the garment 
to be rubbed off. If on boys' clothes stay with a 
piece of tape on the under side of the material. 

A small hook and eye placed at the ends of the 
rubber around the knees of children's bloomers will 
enable the bloomers to be ironed easily and the 
rubber can be readily removed when the bloomers 
are washed. 

Bloomers made out of old raincoats will prove 
a boon to many mothers if used to tuck in the 
children's clothes when they are out of doors play- 
ing after a rain. 

A new mode oi jumper for baby is easily made and 
much more easily ironed than the ordinary jumper. 
Make a plain kimono dress with a tail piece about 
two inches wide stitched to the middle of the back 
hem. Sew two buttons to the middle of the short 
hem, and button into two buttonholes in the lower 
end of this tail piece to hold the clothing down 
when creeping. 

Silk and woolen underwear is the best underwear 
for a young baby. The mixture of silk with wool 
not only helps to warm the little body, but it 
prevents the chafing which so often comes from 
all wool garments. Cotton under garments are 



The Children i6i 

likely to become damp from the heat of the body 
and upon growing chilled cause colds. 

Cotton crepe garments, both dresses and petti- 
coats, will save a great deal of ironing. A good 
quality looks very nice, but a cheap grade is not 
pleasing to the eye. 

A little square of muslin sewed to the top of 
baby's stocking, just where the safety pin fastens, 
lengthens the stocking and saves wear and tear. 

An old fur coat that is no longer serviceable on 
the street will make a good, warm and serviceable 
robe for baby's carriage. 

A baby should be dressed according to the temper- 
ature of his surroundings and not according to the 
season of the year. 

Soiled clothing should never be allowed to remain 
in the nursery. 

A simple yet complete outfit for a new baby con- 
sists of the following: 
3 flannel bands. 
3 woolen shirts (silk and wool mixed are best). 

3 flannel barrows. 
2 flannel skirts. 

4 nainsook petticoats. 

XI 



1 62 The Children 

3 outing flannel nightdresses (if cold weather). 
3 cambric nightdresses (if summer time). 
6 nainsook dresses. 

2 lo-yd. pieces of diapering. 

I lo-yd. piece of cheesecloth for diapers. 

3 worsted bootees. 

I warm woolen shawl. 

BliLe denim overalls will permit small children to 
play in comfort in the dirt and yet allow mother to 
make them presentable when visitors arrive by 
simply shpping off these outer garments. 

Four little bibs can be made from a lady's hand- 
kerchief. One with a hem wears best though it 
may have a small border instead of the hem. The 
handkerchief should be cut in ioui equal squares 
and the cut edges hemmed. Next make a square 
pad a trifle smaller from regular bib padding or 
two layers of canton flannel sewed together and 
place them under the handkerchief square. Cut 
one comer to fit baby's neck. 

Envelope nighties for the baby can be made by 
simply buttoning a wide band to the center back 
and center front of the hem of his nightdresses. 
With these convenient nightdresses the feet will 
keep warm. 



The Children 163 

In making children's waists, combinations , and 
drawers, instead of gathering them up and stitch- 
ing tightly, put in drawstrings which can be let 
out as the child grows. The article can be worn a 
longer time than if made in the usual way. 

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MIND 

Early mental habits of children are easily formed 
and are most important. To begin with reading 
simple versions of Shakespearean tales and other 
classics will cultivate a taste for good reading and 
will help them immeasurably later on when they 
are given more serious reading in school and little 
attention is paid to analysis. Stories told in child- 
hood make a far greater impression on the char- 
acter of the child than any moral preaching later 
on in life. Their minds are trained for cultivated 
reading in this way and they will not care for any 
other kind, and it is just as easy to do this as it is 
to give them cheap literature. 

The study of geography may be begun at home in 
a very pleasant way. Show the children a picture 
of the earth ; a globe is better and can be purchased 
for a very small sum. Teach them to find their 
own home and explain the great distance between 
that spot and the opposite side of the world. 



i64 The Children 

Next have them go on imaginary travels to some 
distant place and write letters to each other from 
their destinations. They will take eager interest 
if they are helped a Uttle to find out something 
about their locations to write and what they learn 
in this way will form a lasting impression. 

Every child should be taught something of the 
culture of flowers. This is quite possible in a city 
back yard at far less expense than is commonly 
imagined. The child in the suburbs or the country 
has 6very chance, of course. If home to a child is 
a city apartment, even then a window box can be 
procured, or a few pots. Here again early im- 
pressions are to be emphasized and a love of 
flowers should be cultivated in every nature, for 
it will mean much in later years. 

If mother or father will start a question box 
and teach the replies to the children, they will by 
a little time daily soon acquire a splendid fund of 
information that will be of value. For instance, 
teach them the name of the longest river, the name 
of the largest State in the United States, the largest 
star, how many miles around the earth, the name 
of the man who invented the first steamboat, etc. 
By and by, let them ask their own questions and 
help them to find the answers. Aside from the 



The Children 165 

benefit to the young minds, mother and father may 
re-leam something they have long since forgotten. 

Children can he trained to appreciate what is good 
in art by having good pictures shown to them and 
by keeping from them the so-called funny sheets 
of the newspapers and other perverted ideas of 
art. Copies of the old masters can be purchased 
at a very small price and if children are taught the 
subjects, together with the names of the artists, 
at an early age, a deep impresvsion will be made. 
A good idea is to have a set of frames, five or six, 
in which these pictures can be placed. If one 
set is hung in the nursery for a few weeks then 
taken down and other pictures inserted, children 
will soon learn to distinguish the different sub- 
jects and will develop favoritism among them and 
half the task of teaching appreciation of real art is 
done. 

CONVENIENCES 

Certain hahy conveniences will save the mother 
much care of the child. If baby has a pen, padded 
with a good cushion, to pull himself around in, his 
clothing will be saved much wear and tear, and he 
will often be saved bumps which he would other- 
wise get by pulling at a piece of furniture that 



i66 The Children 

topples over on him if he has a good strong rail of 
a pen to pull on. 

There is made a splendid little '' go-basket '' 
which can be used from birth instead of the car- 
riage, and which is much lighter in weight. This 
little go-basket can be folded up and taken on 
trolley cars, trains, etc., and can be packed away 
in a small space. 

A folding basket, with a pillow for a mattress, 
makes an excellent bed for a sleeping baby when 
traveling, as it is about the size of a car seat. If 
an air cushion is used instead of a pillow, it will 
be all the easier for carrying around. It is very 
trying for the baby to have to take his nap on his 
mother's lap, not to mention the discomfort to 
the mother. 

When baby's pictures are too expensive to have 
many made, a photograph can be made of a photo- 
graph with splendid result and the cost of extra 
copies will be almost nothing. 

The problem of weighing the baby can be solved 
by stepping on a pair of scales with him and then 
stepping on again without him. 

A whistle for calling the children will save the 
neighbors' ears and the parent's throat. Three 



The Children 167 

short blasts makes a good call when all are wanted 
at one time, while one blast for one child, two for 
another, etc., will distinguish who is to run when 
the whistle is heard. This is infinitely more agree- 
able to all within hearing distance than the old 
method of calling them. 

A box for the feet of a child and a pillow for him 
to sit on and another for his back will make him 
comfortable and keep him quiet during even a very 
long automobile ride. 

A window sleeping berth for the city child will 
solve the problem of fresh air. These can be 
purchased all ready to attach to a window. 

A combination bassinet, crib, and play pen on 
wheels can be bought for a reasonable sum. This 
can be folded up and carried easily. 

A combined bassinet, high chair, and go-cart is 
made for carrying around with baby and facilitates 
taking him on and off trains. 

A great comfort for baby when riding in an 
automobile is a small hammock swung suspend- 
ed from the top of the machine so that it 
swings just above the seat tops and near mother's 
lap. 



i68 The Children 

Be sure to have a sandbox somewhere for the kid- 
dies. Nothing gives them quite as much pleasure 
nor keeps them occupied so long. If there is a 
good back yard in which to place it, well and good. 
If not, then a balcony serves the purpose, or per- 
haps even a section of the porch will have to be 
sacrificed. 

Melted paraffin poured into a shallow glass dish 
makes a pretty receptacle for holding birthday candles 
as a centerpiece. When the paraffin hardens the 
centerpiece can be made even more beautiful by 
putting water in the dish and filling it with fresh 
flowers and greens. 

An inexpensive bassinet for the baby can be made 
from a clothes basket. It should be padded and 
lined and supplied with a mattress. The mat- 
tress may be a large-sized pillow. 

A traveling bed for the baby is easily made of 
heavy canvas. Two pieces of canvas a yard long 
by one half yard in width, two pieces twenty inches 
long by one half yard in width, and one piece one 
yard long by twenty inches in width, together 
with some stout twine, are all the materials neces- 
sary. Each piece should be hemmed all the way 
round and heavy buttonholes worked in the hems 



The Children 169 

for lacing together. When the bed is made it 
resembles a market basket without handles. An 
air cushion which can be blown up when desired 
makes the best mattress, but a pillow to fit will 
answer the purpose. This bed can be tied to the 
arms of the seat on a train and the baby can sleep 
in comfort instead of having to be held in the arms 
of his tired mother. When not in use the bed can 
be folded and put out of the way. 

ENTERTAINMENT 

On a rainy day when the children are fretful from 
lack of occupation, set them to cutting out pic- 
tures of peaches, pears, grapes, etc., from fruit 
catalogues, to paste on your jars of preserves. 
This will save you the trouble of labeling your 
fruit, the pictures can be more readily sighted than 
lettering, and the children will be much interested 
not only at the time but every time a jar of fruit 
is brought out for table use. 

Children will be delighted with a variation of 
the old colored Easter eggs. When the eggs have 
been boiled hard and cooled, draw flowers, names, 
bunnies, and the like on them with a stub-pen 
dipped in melted wax for ink. Then drop the eggs 
carefully into any dye that can be boiled, and allow 



170 The Children 

them to boil for two minutes. Remove the eggs, 
wipe each one with an oiled rag, and the result 
will be white names or designs upon colored back- 
grounds. 

A delightful playhouse for extremely sunny days 
can be planned by planting a post in the ground, 
four inches in diameter and three feet long. Insert 
in this post the handle of a very large canvas um- 
brella, such as is used for advertising purposes, 
and within a circle six inches wider than the um- 
brella, make a flower bed, providing for an opening 
to enter the shade of the umbrella. Anchor the 
umbrella by means of strong cord tied to posts in 
the ground and on these cords train nasturtiums, 
morning glories, and other desirable climbing 
flowers. With proper care this will soon be a 
bower of great beauty and will be a constant delight 
to the children. 

Tapioca, soaked in water, makes a harmless, odor- 
less, and stainless glue for the children to play with. 

A child will oftentimes be induced to drink water 
or take liquid food from a glass tube, or even a stick 
of macaroni, when he is obstinate about taking it 
from a cup. The playfulness of the method will 
appeal to him. 



CLOTHING 

CLEANSING AND SEWING 
MISCELLANEOUS 

A cleaning fluid much used by professionals is 
composed of one gallon of gasoline, one half ounce 
each of alcohol and ammonia, and one ounce each 
of chloroform, ether, and borax. The articles to 
be cleaned should be soaked for a short time, then 
rubbed with the hands, applying to the spots the 
undissolved borax as though it were soap. The 
odor evaporates quickly. 

A mixture of one and a half drams of sulphuric 
ether, three drams of alcohol, one and one half 
drams of chloroform, and one pint of naphtha is 
excellent Jor removing spots. Articles can be 
soaked in this fluid without injury, and it will not 
leave rings when used to remove spots. It is also 
good for cleaning kid gloves, laces, veils, etc. 

A good sponging fluid Jor black goods is composed 

of an ounce of camphor, two ounces of borax, one 

171 



172 Clothing 

pint of alcohol, and two quarts of water. The 
camphor and borax should be boiled until dis- 
solved in the water, and when cool, add the alcohol. 
This is excellent for black silk and other black 
goods. 

To make gasoline soapy cut three bars of white 
laundry soap into a ten-pound pail filled with cold 
water. Set on stove until it is dissolved. Re- 
move and when cool, add one large cupful of gaso- 
line and stir well. 

In laundering mats, or any articles that require 
careful shaping, iron them first without starch. 
Then, placing them carefully on the board, lay 
over them a thin, smooth cloth dipped in raw 
starch, and iron dry. 

When washing dainty lingerie, a few lumps of 
sugar dropped in the rinse water, to take the place 
of the usual starching, will make it beautiful after 
it is ironed. 

Soak dish towels in hot water to which a little 
ammonia has been added and there will be no un- 
pleasant odor. 

An easy way to dry net curtains and be sure they 
will hang straight is to put them on the poles at 



Clothing 173 

the windows while still wet. They fall in graceful 
folds when dry. 

To remove chewing gum from clothingy simply take 
a piece of ice and hold it tightly over the gum, for 
a few minutes. This hardens the gum and causes 
it to crumble. It may then be brushed off with no 
injury to the cloth. 

After cleaning with gasoline, put about one third 
part vinegar in the water with which you damp- 
en the cloth before ironing. This will remove 
the scent of the gasoline and will prevent circles 
forming. 

In sending soiled articles to the dry cleaner, search 
for the bad spots which might escape the cleaner's 
notice and outUne them in white thread. The 
thread will direct the cleaner's attention and is 
easily removed afterward. 

Rugs, scrubbed with a stiff brush moistened in 
diluted ammonia, rinsed with the garden hose when 
hanging on the line, look like new. 

The proper way to launder pongee gowns or 
waists is to wash them and let them dry thoroughly 
before ironing. If the iron is put on the pongee 
when damp, the material turns a darker color and 



174 Clothing 

becomes stiff as if starched instead of being soft 
and silky. 

An excellent plan for washing delicate pieces of 
embroidery work is as follows: Make a thick paste 
of French chalk, having it very hot, and sprinkle 
over the embroidery. Then roll up carefully. 
Leave it in a dark place for a week, then take it out 
and the embroidery will be quite fresh. If there is 
haste for the work, rub the chalk over the embroid- 
ery several times. However, it is necessary to 
leave it on over night in most cases. 

A simple way of shrinking dress goods is to place 
it folded in a tub of cold water to which a few 
handfuls of salt have been added. After a few 
hours hang on the Une without unfolding. The 
weight of the water prevents wrinkles drying in 
and the salt sets the color. 

Wash white corduroy in warm, soapy water until 
clean, then soak one half hour in soapy water. 
Rinse in clean water, changing the water three 
times, and rinsing again in cold blueing-water. 
Don't wring or squeeze, but hang to dry in the 
open air by dripping. Do not iron. 

Gasoline and plaster of Paris mixed together to 
the consistency of whipped cream will dean feath- 



Clothing 175 

ers beautifully. Dip the feathers in this mixture 
and press them together. Then hang in the open 
air until all of the gasoUne is evaporated. Do not 
handle until perfectly dry. Next shake well and 
the result will be clean and fluffy feathers. White 
wings also can be treated in this manner. 

To clean carpets and men's clothing, dissolve four 
ounces of good white soap in four ounces of boiling 
water. When cool, add five ounces of ammonia, 
two and one half ounces each of alcohol and gly- 
cerine, and two ounces of ether or chloroform. 
Two tablespoonfuls of this to a pint of water 
will remove the most obstinate stains on men's 
clothes. For carpets, add one teacupful to a pail 
of water. 

The shiny appearance of a suit of clothes can be 
removed by rubbing the material with a piece of 
fine black emery paper that can be purchased at 
any hardware store for a few cents. 

When black cloth becomes shiny rub the spots with 
slices of raw potato. 

Velvet ribbon bows on a hat that has been in the 
rain can be much improved by heating a curling 
iron and winding a wet cloth over it and running 
it under the bows, loops, and ends. When the 



176 Clothing 

steam dries out the ribbon will be almost as good 
as new. 

Velvet held over a gallon of boiling water to which 
one half cup of ammonia has been added, will re- 
store it until it looks like new. The pile of the 
velvet should be held inwards. 

Rain water is best for washing clothes, as it is 
pure. It should be caught in the open and not 
secured by placing tubs under the edge of the house 
as stains are likely to come from the water dripping 
over the wood. 

Hard water can be softened with washing soda 
or lye. However, borax is the best medium for 
softening hard water when the hands are to be kept 
in it long, as it is much better for the skin. 

Lemon juice softens water and renders washing 
less difficult. It helps to remove dirt and grease, 
whitening and freshening white clothes. Do not 
use in washing colored fabrics. 

Soap hark at about fifteen cents per pound at 
the druggists is a very cheap and excellent cleanser 
for removing spots made by grease or oil and other 
stains from clothing. The proportion is a table- 
spoonful to one half pint of water. It is cheaper 



4i 



Clothing 177 

than gasoline, has no odor, and is not inflammable. 
To use, moisten a rag and rub the spot or stain 
until it disappears. When it is desired to wash 
an old or ripped up garment, this is the best 
method: First soak the garment in cold water 
and use either epsom salts or table salt to set the 
color. Tie about one half pound in cheesecloth 
and steep in warm water. Wash the garment 
or pieces and hang on the line. Press when 
damp. 

Always save the small pieces of soap from the 
kitchen and bathroom, for they can be used in 
washing. They can be put into the boiler instead 
of washing powder or large pieces of soap. 

Twenty minutes to half an hour is the time 
usually allowed for hailing clothes. 

The best way of boiling clothes is to put them on 
in cold water and let them stand until they have 
boiled at least ten minutes. They should be 
stirred occasionally with a stick kept for the 
purpose. 

LaceSy fine handkerchiefs , and other small or 
dainty pieces of laundry will wear longer if put 
inside a bag to launder. These pieces are seldom 
very dirty and should not be rubbed hard. 



178 Clothing 

If small articles are washed and pinned on a line 
in the laundry and this line hooked to the other 
line out of doors much nipping of fingers will be 
prevented. 

Brown soap suds usually contain resin and soda 
and as soda is injurious to colored clothes and resin 
to flannel, neither should be washed with them. 

If the clothesline is stretched in the laundry and 
the clothes pinned on it, then transferred to the out 
of doors, there will be less exposure to the cold and 
a saving of time in hanging up the clothes. 

A novel and convenient clothespin hag is made by 
hanging a bag of heavy ticking on a wooden coat 
hanger, which can be hung on the line by the hook 
and pushed along as needed. 

Those readers who use long clotheslines which 
require supporting to prevent sagging will be glad 
to know of a sure, quick method of attaching the 
poles to the line so as to prevent their slipping 
sideways and allowing the clothes to sag onto the 
ground: Bore a quarter inch hole through the pole 
about two inches from one end ; through this pass 
a piece of strong wrapping twine about one foot in 
length, tying its ends together to form a loop. To 
use, simply throw the loop over the clothesline and 



Clothing 179 

push the. end of the pole up through it. The twine 
will encircle the clothesline, gripping it tightly, 
and no matter how hard the wind may blow the 
pole cannot slip. 

When ironing small flat pieces, such as handker- 
chiefs, napkins, etc., a great saving in time and 
heat will be experienced by ironing quickly with a 
very hot iron, not waiting to fold or press. Then 
with the still warm iron, press and fold. Creasing 
does not require as intense heat as the damp linen, 
and, moreover, the partly hot iron does not wear 
the folds as does the first heat. 

Sheets, handkerchiefs, towels, etc., iron so 
much better if folded right on the line and laid 
smoothly in the bottom of the basket. 

To overcome the difficulty of ironing a sleeve at 
the part where it is too narrow for the ironing 
board, turn the sleeve wrong side out, insert a 
tea-towel or padding folded the width of the sleeve, 
and press both sides. The result is perfect work. 

To iron curtains, fold the curtain lengthwise and 
iron with the selvage to the right, within about an 
inch of the center, being careful to keep the selvage 
straight. Unfold and iron without stretching the 
two inches in the center which were omitted when 



i8o Clothing 

the curtain was folded. This will make a curtain 
look like new. There will be no fold in the center 
and it will hang perfectly. 

In ironing clothes, scorching may be prevented 
if the flatirons are wiped on a cloth dampened in 
kerosene. White garments will never look yellow 
if a little kerosene is used in the water in which 
they are washed. 

If care is taken to hang clothes smooth after 
washing the task of ironing will be lessened. 

Smoothness and glossiness when ironing starched 
pieces can be secured by stirring the starch with 
a parafl&n candle three or four times while boiUng 
and just ready to remove. 

A little turpentine added to a pot of starch will 
prevent the iron from sticking to the goods. 

When there is an article needing ironing and 
there is no way to heat an iron, moisten the article 
and place between blotters, then stretch out 
smoothly and place a weight on top. 

When there is no good place for the ironing board, 
screw two large hooks in a closet door and slip the 
ironing board down between them, with the small 
end downward. 



Clothing i8i 

An ironing hoard padded with newspaper is more 
economical and will pad the board more smoothly 
than cloth. The newspapers should be covered 
with a piece of heavy paper to avoid the odor of 
scorching ink. 

To clean grease from the wringer roller, rub with 
paraffin. Paraffin will also remove grease from the 
hands and will clean the sewing-machine. 

Handkerchiefs or other linen to be marked with 
indelible ink, should be starched before marking. 
This keeps the ink from blurring. 

TO REMOVE SCORCH, CLEAN SILKS, WOOLENS, ETC. 

Scorched places on clothing can be removed by 
applying a thick paste made of ordinary starch 
mixed with just enough water to make it stick well. 
Let it dry on the material and then wash out 
thoroughly. This operation sometimes needs to 
be repeated before having the desired effect. 

If scorched clothes are boiled in milk and tur- 
pentine to which soap has been added, and dried 
in the sun the scorch will disappear. 

For scorched linen try the following : From four 
peeled onions extract the juice, mix this with four 



1 82 Clothing 

ounces of fuller's earth, one ounce of soap, and a 
pint of vinegar. Boil well together; when nearly 
cold put on the scorched places and let dry in the 
air. Wash in cold water. 

Clean silks, woolens, and any delicate article of 
clothing by washing in benzine. Handle very 
carefully and do not have any fire in the room while 
the benzine is there as it is very inflammable. 

Do not wring silk, but hang loosely to dry, 
letting the water drip. Silks should always be 
dried in the shade. Light colored silks should be 
washed with ivory soap as ordinary washing soaps 
turn them yellow. 

Silk should not be rubbed on a board but should 
be sponged with a piece of flannel in lukewarm 
water. 

After washing a black silk dress, soak twenty- 
four hours in clear rain water. This will freshen 
it until it looks almost like new. 

A white satin collar can be cleaned by rubbing 
with bread crumbs which have a little moisture. 
White kid gloves can be freshened the same way. 

Never soak flannels or colored dresses before 
washing. 



Clothing 183 

A delightful way to make white shawls, cloth 
jackets, and sweaters look like new, is to make a basin 
of suds with any soap free from alkali and wash 
the garment clean, changing the suds as often as 
necessary. Soap should not be rubbed on the 
garment nor should the suds be washed out ; simply 
squeeze the garment dry, put it into a pillow slip, 
and hang the slip in the sun. The garment will 
come out fluffy and soft and it will not stretch nor 
shrink. 

Flannels should be washed in a tepid water, using 
a pure white soap. 

Wash flannels by squashing them, not rubbing, 
in soapy water. 

Two potatoes grated in a basin of warm water 
give better results than soap in washing delicate 
flannel or woolen goods and ribbons, 

A garden hose used to rinse heavy articles, such as 
blankets, is very handy and makes the work much 
lighter. Blankets washed in this way are saved 
from wringing and dry without wrinkles. The 
nap is uncrushed, too, as no ironing is required. 

After washing woolen blankets, dry them on cur- 
tain stretchers which will prevent them from 
shrinking. 



i84 Clothing 

Blankets can be cleaned at home as successfully 
as by a professional cleaner. Dissolve and strain 
into a tubful of cold water one cake of naphtha 
soap. Put the blankets in and let them stand at 
least twelve hours. Then allow cold water to run 
over them until the soap is removed. Drop, with- 
out squeezing, over the side of the tub into a port- 
able vessel. Hang the dripping blankets on the 
line outside. When dry they will be snowy and 
fluffy. Spreads and curtains may be washed in 
the same way. 

The following method has been used to great 
advantage in washing guilts: Make a lather with 
pure soap; to this add a little washing soda and 
ammonia, add enough warm water to wash the 
quilt thoroughly. Place quilt in this bath to soak 
for half an hour. Use a wooden stick, preferably 
a wooden potato masher, and press the dirt out. 
Do not wring or rub. After the quilt has become 
clean, rinse thoroughly in the same manner. 
Hang on line to drain, placing the pins at alternate 
corners. Shake often while drying. When about 
half dry, beat with a clothes beater occasionally 
to lighten. A bright day should always be chosen 
as the sun's rays will make down and wool light 
and fluffy. 



Clothing 185 

When washing sweaters which show a disposition 
to shrink, after following the usual precautions of 
lukewarm water and white soap, place a milk 
bottle in the sleeve — the neck of the bottle in the 
wrist, the arm of the sweater over the thick part of 
the bottle. For infants' sweaters use a pint bot- 
tle. This will hold the sleeves in good size and 
shape. 

The best way to dry a sweater after washing it 
is to make a hammock of a piece of mosquito 
netting or other thin material ; hang this hammock 
out in the sun and lay the sweater in it. Have the 
hammock drawn out fiat so the sweater is not 
doubled up. A sweater treated in this way will not 
get out of shape. 

To bleach table linen, muslin, and other unbleached 
goods, prepare a boiler of bluing water as for rinsing 
clothes. Place articles to be bleached in the boiler 
and allow them to boil well. Hang on the line 
without further rinsing and at the next washing 
the articles will be perfectly white. 

Often housewives attempt to mark linen hand- 
kerchiefs with indelible ink, only to have a blurred 
indistinct name when completed. When marking 
new handkerchiefs try starching and ironing them 



1 86 Clothing 

first. The name may then be written very small 
and yet be very distinct. 

Always dry table linen out of doors in the sun- 
shine. If possible have a little bleaching green, 
of grass, protected from the inroads of cats and 
dogs. 

Linen should be quite damp when ironed and 
must be ironed until perfectly dry. Napkins 
should be ironed on both sides and a tablecloth 
should be ironed in the same way to give it the 
best finish and appearance. 

Dipping linen in buttermilk will whiten it. If 
it is much discolored it should remain in the butter- 
milk a day or two and then be rinsed in cool, clear 
water and lastly in warm water. 

FRUIT, RUST, INK STAINS, ETC. 

Seashore sand will remove almost any stain from 
the bottom of a woman's skirt. All that the owner 
needs to do is to let it drag through the sand as she 
walks along the beach, then go home and hang 
the skirt in the air and let the wind blow on it. 
If the sand is damp and clinging so much the 
better; the moisture will be more apt to absorb 
the stain. 



Clothing 187 

To remove fruit stains from a linen napkin hold 
it over fumes from a small piece of burning sul- 
phur. Sulphur will also remove ink stains if used 
at once. Dampen the cloth before igniting the 
sulphur. 

Watermelon stains and peach stains may be re- 
moved from table linen by applying pure glycerine. 
Leave the glycerine on the stain for a short time, 
then wash the article in clear water. 

To remove fruit stains pour boiling water on them 
while they are still damp, if possible. If they have 
dried, rub them with lard and put through the 
usual washing process. 

Lemon applied to acid stains will soften them. 
After they have been softened, apply chloroform. 
This will also remove set paint stains. 

Turpentine will remove paint stains. 

Pour cold water on tea stains immediately. If 
it is impossible to take care of them at once then 
wring a cloth out of cold water and lay it on the 
stain. If stains are boiled in material they will 
never come out. 

Boiling water removes coffee spots; cold water 
removes cocoa spots, and sunshine removes many 
spots. 



1 88 Clothing 

The yolk of an egg rubbed upon grease stains on 
silk and left to dry before the final washing will 
cleanse them thoroughly. 

A cloth moistened with sulphuric acid and 
rubbed on coat collars is excellent for removing 
grease stains. 

Spots of machine grease can be removed by the 
use of clear ammonia and soap. 

Rub lard on spots of automobile grease^ then wash 
in cold water and next in warm. No stain will 
remain. 

Iron mold stains spread in any fabric they come 
in contact with in the wash. To remove them 
stretch the stained part over a basin nearly full of 
boiling water so that the steam may penetrate the 
fabric and apply with a feather a spoonful of salt 
dissolved in a dessertspoonful of lemon juice. 
When the marks disappear dip the material well 
into the hot water; afterward rinse very thoroughly 
in cold water. 

Rust stains can be removed by soaking in boiling 
rhubarb juice. The worst spots will yield to this 
treatment without injury to the material. 

To remove rust stains^ try lemon juice and salt 



Clothing 189 

as usual and place over a steaming teakettle. 
The steam will aid greatly in removing the 
spots. 

Mud stains can be removed from silk if the spots 
are rubbed with a bit of flannel or, if stubborn, with 
a piece of linen wet with alcohol. 

Dry pipe clay spread on a stain on a light colored 
dress will prove efficacious. It should be left 
on for half an hour and a second lot applied if 
necessary. Stains should be removed as soon as 
possible. 

In using salt of lemons on colored goods, hold the 
material in the solution for a moment and then 
dip into the cold water. Keep this up until the 
stain disappears. 

Sweet oil or lard rubbed on tar or pitch will remove 
it. Tar on silk or worsted is best removed by rub- 
bing with alcohol, 

A mixture of one part turpentine to two parts 
of essence of lemon will remove stains from silk. 
Rub the stain gently with the mixture on a soft 
cloth. 

Damp salt, not wet, will clean silk beautifully. 
It should be rubbed on with a small soft brush and 



190 Clothing 

then removed at once by rubbing with a piece of 
Turkish toweling or other rough material. Salt 
will oftentimes remove paint but in this case 
should be left to dry on the goods and rubbed off 
with a stiff brush. Salt never leaves a mark or 
a stain. 

A teaspoonful of borax, powdered preferred, 
dissolved in a pint of hot water and applied with 
absorbent cotton will remove dust, mud spots, and 
perspiration stains, unless the perspiration stains 
are too deep set, when applied to light cloth gowns. 
It is better than gasoline or naphtha as it does not 
leave an ugly mark after drying. 

A Chinese plan for removing ink stains from cloth- 
ing is to wash the article with boiled rice. Rub the 
rice on the stain as you would soap and wash with 
clear water. If the first application is not effective 
repeat the process. 

To remove ink stains from washable fabrics, 
moisten stain with peroxide of hydrogen and rub 
in well, then moisten with aqua ammonia and rub 
the stain. It will help to put the article in the sun 
after using ammonia. Always use peroxide first 
as ammonia may set the stain. 



Clothing 191 

Most indelible ink stains can be removed by- 
soaking in strong salt water and then washing with 
ammonia. 

Salt of lemons will remove ink stains effectively, 
but this is a very poisonous liquid and should be 
kept away from children. Use a tablespoonful to 
a gallon of boiling water. This also applies to mold. 

Dip white linen on which ink has been spilled into 
buttermilk. Allow it to soak until the spots dis- 
appear. If buttermilk is not handy, dip into hot 
tallow; then wash out the tallow with boiling water 
and a little borax. 

To remove ink stains from wash materials, pour 
a tablespoonful of kerosene on the spots and rub 
well. Rinse in kerosene and the spots will dis- 
appear. This should be done before putting into 
the laundry. 

GLOVES, HATS, LACES, ETC. 

Pure alcohol is preferable to gasoline for cleaning 
white kid gloves. It dries quickly and without the 
unpleasant odor of gasoline. 

To clean kid gloves, grate fine one and a half 
pounds of Castile or other pure white soap, place 
in a jar, and add enough alcohol to make a soap 



192 Clothing 

jelly. Add a teaspoonful of ether or chloroform 
and shake well. Keep the jar tightly covered. 
To use, put the gloves on the hands and with a 
white cloth dipped in the jelly wipe the gloves 
clean, finishing by rubbing with a dry cloth. The 
gloves may be worn immediately. 

A flannel cloth dipped in sweet milk and rubbed 
on a pure soap will clean gloves and avoid the ter- 
rible odor of benzine. The gloves will wear much 
longer if cleaned in this way, as the benzine eats 
the kid. 

To remove marks from gloves^ place the gloves 
in a glass fruit-jar and pour half-full of gasoline. 
Screw the top on tightly then shake the jar occa- 
sionally for an hour. When taken out the gloves 
should be placed on a clean towel and rubbed 
gently until dry and then left near an open window 
for a few hours. This work should be done out of 
doors away from fires and lights. 

A pair of kid gloves that are too small in the wrist 
can be stretched by dampening the wrist on the 
inside with water and stretching them on a glove 
stretcher until dry. 

Do not throw away a favorite straw hat because 
it is out of style and dirty. Any straw of even 



Clothing 193 

fairly good quality can be reblocked and reshaped 
and having been properly cleaned will look like a 
new hat. The charge is very slight. 

White felt hats may be cleaned with fine sand- 
paper, which is safe, quick, and thorough. Or a 
mixture of one quart of corn-meal to one cupful 
each of salt and flour may be used. Rub in well 
and let stand overnight, then brush out. 

Sodium perborate is a new development in safe 
bleaching agents, and by its aid anyone can whiten 
an old Panama hat. First, scrub the hat with soap 
and warm water and rinse well. Then, immerse 
for twenty-four hours in a bath of one part sodium 
perborate in one hundred and fifty parts of water. 
Just before removing the hat, heat this bath to 
125 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, immerse the hat 
in a bath of oxalic acid and water of the same 
strength, for one minute only. Rinse thoroughly 
and dry in the sun. 

A Panama hat can he cleaned by scrubbing with 
warm (not hot) water and a mild white soap. 
The hat should be shaped while it is wet and placed 
upon a flat surface until it dries. When packing 
away care should be taken that it is placed on a 
flat surface again or it will be pressed out of shape. 
Before the hat is worn the next season a coat of 
13 



194 Clothing 

whitening, such as is used for white shoes, should 
be put on it. After the first coat dries it should be 
brushed off with a stiff but fine hat brush. Next a 
second coat should be applied and allowed to dry. 
When the second coat is brushed off there will be 
enough of the whitening remaining on the hat to 
make it look like new. 

To clean a panama hat, apply an ordinary spot 
remover, then cover thickly with fuller's earth and 
lay away for several days and brush thoroughly. 

Make a padded cushion of velvet, three by four 
inches, inserting a piece of cardboard to stiffen, 
and stuffing with cotton. Add a strap of tape for 
the hand. This will make a very convenient little 
brush for velvet hats, 

A hat bag for an automobile can be made from a 
piece of lining material to match the car. It 
should be forty-five inches long and should be 
folded together and fastened with dress straps. 
Next it should be divided into three partitions by 
stitching on the sewing machine. Then eight 
straps should be sewed on to be fastened to the top 
of the car between the front and the back seats. 
Hats can be well taken care of by means of this 
bag and will be out of the way. 



Clothing 195 

Crepon veils may be renovated beautifully if 
held over steam from a wet cloth placed over a 
piping hot fiatiron. They should never be ironed. 

Black tea is excellent for use in freshening black 
lace. Soak the lace in the liquid several times. 

Delicate laces may be cleaned by squeezing them 
through skim milk, to which a little bluing has been 
added. Then stretch and dry them or dry and 
iron between cloths over a Turkish towel. 

To make lace yokes look like new, apply a white 
paste such as is used for cleaning white shoes. 
Rub the paste on and after it has dried brush off 
with a soft brush. 

A piece of lace or net starched and put under a 
hole in a lace curtain^ then pressed smooth with a 
warm iron, will scarcely be detected. 

SHOES 

If shoes are rubbed over when taking them off 
with a piece of flannel or other soft cloth lightly 
smeared with vaseline they will wear much longer 
and will not need such frequent polishing. 

Linseed oil or sweet oil rubbed on shoes when 
damp will keep them from cracking. An applica- 



196 Clothing 

tion of vaseline is also good to keep the leather 
soft and pliable. 

Russet shoes can be cleaned with lemon juice 
and polished with a solution of beeswax dissolved 
in turpentine. 

To clean tan shoes, put on shoe trees and scrub 
with a stiff brush with soap and water. After 
being polished with a good russet polish they will 
look like new. 

White vaseline is a good dressing for russet or 
patent leather; poUsh with absorbent cotton after 
applying it with the finger tips. 

Orange juice will freshen shoes beautifully and 
is particularly good for bahys shoes. 

The color of canvas shoes that have begun to fade 
can be restored by the use of water color paints 
thinned before using. 

Suede shoes that are spotted from rain can be 
renewed by the simple method of rubbing with an 
emery board the spots matted together by the 
water. 

Liquid court plaster applied to a scratch on kid 
pumps will mend the scratch so that it is hardly 
visible. 



Clothing 197 

A good waterproof dressing for hoots and shoes is 
easily and cheaply made by melting tallow and 
mixing with neatsf oot oil in the proportion of seven 
parts of the oil to three parts of tallow — ^less tal- 
low in cold weather, about one part to three of 
oil. 

The following are two home methods of water- 
proofing shoes and leather: Mix eight parts of lin- 
seed oil, ten parts of boiled oil, eight parts of suet, 
and eight of beeswax by heating them over a slow 
fire. Warm the leather to be treated and with a 
brush apply the warm mixture to it, making sure to 
coat the seams carefully. Or, melt together over a 
slow fire one part of white-pine tar, one part of 
neatsfoot oil, and one of beef tallow. Apply as 
above. 

To keep shoe-tongues in position, make two slits 
in the tongue about one quarter of an inch apart 
and slip the laces through the slits before lacing 
the top eyelets. 

To make new shoes more comfortable, moisten 
the lining of the shoes, or the stocking worn, with 
alcohol and wear the shoes while drying. This 
makes the lining of the shoe stretch to fit the foot 
and prevents the pinching often caused by the 



198 Clothing 

lining alone. By using alcohol there is no danger 
of taking cold. 

When rubber overshoes are worn out at the heels, 
soft tissue paper crushed and put into the heel will 
absorb dampness and make a soft cushion, at the 
same time retarding wear. 

FURS 

To clean furs, first beat them with a length of 
rubber hose to remove all dust. Then rub well 
into the fur hot bran or corn-meal ; lay away for a 
few days, then brush out thoroughly. 

Coarse furs, such as bear, buffalo, or even fox, 
may be washed with lukewarm water and a pure 
white soapsuds. Wipe the fur with a dry cloth 
and hang where it will dry quickly, then comb out 
with a coarse comb. 

A most successful preventative of moths is black 
pepper. This can be readily shaken from the 
garments and leaves no unpleasant odor. It has 
been used successfully on Chinchilla and ermine 
furs, beaver hats, except white ones, and a pony 
coat. Sprinkle the garment thoroughly with the 
pepper and then lay in the dark. 



Clothing 199 

Furs packed away in tobacco instead of moth 
balls retain no permanent odor. A five-cent 
package of tobacco sprinkled over the furs before 
wrapping in newspapers will keep the pests from 
furs. 

A box lined with newspapers makes a good sub- 
stitute for a cedar chest. Split open little cedar 
cigar boxes and then lay over a layer of newspapers 
and next pack in the clothes. The odor of the 
cedar from the boxes, together with the odor of the 
printer's ink, is not agreeable to moths. 

The branches of the Arbor Vitce packed away in 
winter clothing will keep it free of moths and the 
odor is very pleasant and wholesome. 

DVEING GOODS AND SETTING COLORS 

Ordinary table salt will set colors in material 
that has started to run. 

If colored silks are dipped in a final water to 
which a little dye the color of the material has 
been added, they will not show signs oi fading. 

Colored linens are so fashionable and so attrac- 
tive that it is well to know that delicate shades 
may be kept from fading by using plenty of pul- 



200 Clothing 

verized pure borax in the water in which they are 
washed and rinsed. 

An excellent dyeing soap comes in two dozen or 
more colors and is absolutely guaranteed from long 
usage. Garments are dyed by washing with this 
soap. It cleans and dyes at one operation. 

To preserve the color of linen, drop a few pieces 
of camphor gum into the drawer in which it is kept. 

SEWING 

To prevent the finger from becoming pricked when 
hemming or embroidering, put a small piece of 
adhesive plaster over it. 

To keep a placket from tearing, fasten the last or 
bottom hook and then clamp it with a tack- 
hammer. It will not come unhooked, cannot tear 
or rip, and eases the strain at the place where the 
garment is so often torn. 

In making a circular skirt, it is well to let it 
hang from the waist band for a day or so before 
finishing it off at the bottom. This allows the 
bias seams to stretch before evening off at the 
bottom and the skirt will not be so liable to sag 
after it is finished. 



Clothing 201 

Two rows of stitching around a buttonhole will 
strengthen it and no longer will there be the an- 
noyance of having the buttonhole tear at the 
edges. This stitching also adds materially to the 
appearance of the buttonhole. 

In drawing threads for hemstitching or drawn 
work wet a small brush and rub it on a cake of soap 
and then on the threads you wish to draw and they 
will come out easily and without breaking. 

A knotted thread pulled toward the needle will 
unravel instantly. 

Metal buttons that can be picked up by a magnet 
will rust when washed. 

When a kimono waist has begun to show the 
strain of wear, an excellent plan is to cut the top of 
the sleeve from neck to cuff and insert a piece of 
lace or embroidery. This enlarges the sleeve and 
relieves the strain, and the waist will last about 
twice as long if mended in this way. 

In buying material for house dresses a very 
attractive idea is to buy enough for making 
aprons. They look much neater and are in 
better taste than if made of some other pattern 
or color. 



202 Clothing 

When blankets have become thin and worn, lay 
them between sheets of silkoline or other covering 
and tuft them with ribbon or worsted. In place of 
the old untidy blanket there will be an attractive 
covering for the bed. 

If children's Russian suits are made large enough 
to allow for growth, they can he utilized as blouses 
later on by merely running a drawstring or rubber 
band through the hems and bringing the hems up 
to the waist line. 

To lessen the job of darning run the heels of 
new stockings with paraffin. Put the stocking 
over the darning egg and warm the paraffin 
enough to make it soft on the hand; then rub well. 
This protects the heel against rubbing and it will 
not wear out with double the ordinary wear. 

Black mosquito netting used as a foundation in 
darning boys' stockings will greatly lessen the 
trouble of darning, and will prove a good founda- 
tion for the darn. 

A piece of old stocking sewed on the under side 
where the hose supporter is caught, will keep the 
finest hose from being torn. 

Kneecaps made from the tops of old kid gloves 
will save wear and tear on stockings. A square 



Clothing 203 

should be cut from the glove and pieces of elastic 
sewed on each side long enough to pass around the 
leg under the knee. 

A funnel is a very convenient little device for 
use when crocheting. The wool placed on this 
never snarls and cannot roll off while the crochet- 
ing is in process. 

To protect the end of a steel crochet hook, a cork 
pressed into a bright-colored celluloid thimble, and 
cut off even with the edge of the thimble, is an 
improvement on the cork with crochet-cover- 
ing, for it leaves nothing for the hook to catch 
on. 

If a design for embroidery be drawn upon the 
material with a good black lead-pencil and then 
pressed with a rather hot iron, the design will not 
easily rub out. Before ironing, if there are any 
mistakes, they should be removed with an ordi- 
nary rubber eraser. 

In making tassels a good idea is to wind the silk 
on a piece of cardboard or heavy paper, doubled 
so that the two ends meet and form a cylinder. 
The tassel material should be wound so that the 
bottom of the tassel will come where the two folded 
back edges of the cardboard meet. Then, w^hen 



204 Clothing 

the tassels are cut, it will not be necessary to wedge 
the scissors between the cord and the cardboard, 
but they will go between the two folded back ends 
of the cardboard and cut across the free opening 
where these ends meet. 

When sewing the ball and socket snaps on a garment, 
the ball snap should be sewed on the upper piece. 
The back of the ball snap being flat will leave no 
mark on the outside of the cloth, while the socket 
snap always leaves a round mark in the center, 
which is especially noticeable on any smooth or 
hard-finished goods. 

To obviate stopping work when the sewing ma- 
chine belt is loose and taking time then to cut it 
off and fasten it, simply slip a few large rubber 
bands over the small wheel. They will hold the 
belt firmly until time for permanent repairs can 
be taken. 

To note repairs y when ironing pin a piece of brown 
paper to each article needing mending. This will 
save the time usually taken in looking over the 
garments. 

A simple and splendid filling for pincushions 
can be made of dried coffee grounds which do not 
pack down and never rust the needles. 



Clothing 205 

When the belt in a wash skirt is so soft that it 
crumples after being laundried, the following sug- 
gestion is offered : Take a piece of the stiff belting 
which is so much used and sew a strip of snappers 
at the top. At the top of the skirt on the in- 
side sew the other side of the strip of snappers 
(the kind which come already sewed on a tape). 
The skirt can easily be taken off the stiff belt- 
ing when washed and it will be much easier to 
iron. 

An easy way to hang a skirt on oneself, is to put 
a piece of chalk in the opening of the dining table 
and push the table together so that it will hold the 
chalk firmly. Then with the skirt on, turn slowly 
around chalking the skirt as you turn. This done 
take the skirt off and with a yardstick mark off 
the same number of inches below the chalk-line 
that it is desired the skirt be. If carefully done, 
the skirt will hang beautifully. 

The time required to sew on a skirt braid is length- 
ened by the care one must take to prevent the 
stitching from showing through the right side. 
This may be obviated by opening the hem far 
enough to insert a piece of cardboard about two by 
four inches. Push it along through the hem and 
keep it always just under the place where you are 



2o6 Clothing 

sewing. It will make it impossible for the stitches 
to catch on the right side. 

When skirt bands stretch and roll over at the top, 
sew a piece of elastic one half inch in width along 
the top. 

If a delicate muslin or wrought gown is torn, it may- 
be nicely mended by placing the torn part, with a 
new piece beneath it, in an embroidery hoop. The 
hoop holds all firmly and makes the delicate darn- 
ing of the hole a much easier matter. 

When slippers have become loosened so that they 
slip off the feet: For each shoe use a half inch 
wide elastic ribbon six inches long; fasten the 
middle of the strip to the inside of the heel of the 
slipper, stre-tch the ends a trifle and fasten them to 
the sides of the shoe. Care should be taken that 
the elastic is fastened in the slipper in such way as 
to be hidden from view. 

A piece of chalk serves a good purpose when 
sewing on hooks and eyes or snap fasteners. After 
the hooks and snaps are sewed on one side, the 
garment should be chalked where the hook is to 
meet the eye. This saves much time and measur- 
ing. 



Clothing 207 

Discarded shaving soap boxes make handy Kt- 
tle receptacles for buttons. They are small and 
can easily be slipped into the sewing machine 
drawer, a different box for the various kinds of 
buttons. 

A wide-mouthed glass bottle can be used for 
holding buttons. As the various buttons can be 
seen by shaking the bottle time will be saved in 
looking for them. 

A heavy coarse thread should always be used 
for sewing on buttons and the work can be done 
in half the time it takes when fine thread is 
used. 

Instead of sewing buttons on lace^ they should be 
tied on using a needle with doubled thread. The 
ends should be tied under the buttons and on the 
wrong side. If tied carefully they are easily taken 
off when the lace is freshened. 

When sewing long seams, fasten the edges of the 
cloth together with paper clips such as are used in 
offices and no basting will be necessary. 

If a sewing machine needle becomes blunted, stitch 
a few inches through a piece of sandpaper and the 
point will become sharp. 



2o8 Clothing 

In sewing or embroidering if the thread knots, a 
twist to the left every few inches will obviate this 
little trouble. 

To remove a blood stain on silk material^ place 
about four inches of white sewing silk in the mouth 
and moisten. Roll into a ball and rub the spot 
gently and the stain will disappear as if by 
magic. 

A little device that is helpful when stitching on 
tape or braid is as follows : After one piece of tape 
is stitched on, take a piece of cardboard and run the 
second piece of tape through two slots cut in the 
cardboard. The slots should be cut so as to bring 
the second row of tape the desired distance from 
the first. The cardboard is guided by the hand 
and the braid or tape is straight without the neces- 
sity of basting. 

Small rubber bands may be used as a substitute 
for buttonholes in cases of emergency. Instead of 
stitching on a button with thread, fasten through 
the holes two loops of elastic, securing the ends 
to a second smaller button on the inner side of 
the garment. It will save an incredible amount 
of darning if buttons are fastened in this way to 
the reinforced tops of the stockings of the small 



Clothing 209 

children; then the garter is fastened, not to the 
stocking but to the button. 

In patching a garment, entirely new material 
should not be used, as the newer material will only 
strain the older. If partly worn pieces of the 
material are not available, thinner material should 
be used. In inserting a patch, care must be taken 
to have the warp of the patch run in the same direc- 
tion as the original material. 

Neat kitchen aprons may be made from shirts 
with worn-out collars and cuffs. As the shirt is 
already hemmed little work is required. 

Before trying to pull threads in linen, run a damp 
cloth along the line where the thread is to be pulled. 
You will be surprised how easily the thread will 
pull while the cloth is damp. 

A successful way to restore pearl buttons to their 
original brightness and beauty is first to rub them 
with a little olive oil to take away the blurred 
look; then sprinkle with nail powder and rub well 
with chamois skin. 

If gingham aprons are made with a flat seam 

stitched on both sides, search will not have to be 

made for the right side. In making a new apron, 

a holder like the apron is a good idea. The 

14 



210 Clothing 

holder should be sewed on a piece of tape about 
twenty-seven inches long and fastened by the 
tape to the apron binding. The holder may be 
washed with the apron, and it will always be handy 
when the apron is worn. 

A handy article when vSewing is to fasten a pin- 
cushion to the top part of the machine arm. It is 
made by winding several thicknesses of flannel 
around the arm and fastening in the same place 
with a few stitches. This cushion is always in 
place and saves the time and annoyance of having 
to look for a pin or needle. 

A way to prevent the dancing slipper from slipping 
off when dancing is to work a loop with silk, but- 
tonhole twist preferred, on the stocking where the 
slipper strikes. Slip a ribbon, fastened to the 
slipper, through this loop, and tie. This will not 
be noticeable and the slipper will stay in place. 

Before removing ribbon from lingerie preparatory 
to putting it in the laundry, sew a piece of tape, 
the same length, to one end of the ribbon. In 
drawing the ribbon out the tape takes its place. 
Leave this tape in until ready to put the ribbon 
back and then fasten the ribbon to the tape and 
pull in place. 



IN THE SICK-ROOM 

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE INVALID 

The patient who must be cared for in the home 
suffers mostly because she is in the home, for in 
the average home httle thought is given to some of 
the most important features of nursing, which are 
most simple. 

Perhaps the most essential thing in a sick-room is 
that which is so often excluded — fresh air. If the 
weather is mild the room should have a constant 
stream of fresh air, though care should always be 
taken that the patient does not lie or sit in a draft. 
A room with windows on two sides, affording cross 
ventilation, with the patient safely back in a comer, 
is the best arrangement to be had, but if the archi- 
tectural plan has made this impossible the next 
best thing is to open a window at both top and 
bottom. On a very cold day, it may be found that 
to open the door into a hall or other room which 
has open windows will be all that the patient can 
stand. If there is a fireplace in the room and the 

211 



212 In the Sick-room 

damper is open there will be no real danger from 
impure air as this gives constant ventilation with- 
out care and with practically no thought on the 
part of the nurse. On an extremely cold day, the 
patient should be well wrapped in a woolen blanket 
while the windows are opened wide at top and 
bottom until the air is freshened and cool. When 
the air is entirely purified and the window closed it 
will be found that the room will become warm very 
quickly, for fresh air heats much more readilj^ than 
stale air. No room can be sanitary, nor even clean, 
that is not aired regularly. 

Perfect cleanliness in the sick-room is necessary 
for the effect it has on the patient mentally as well 
as for the effect on the health. The room should 
be kept in order, with no soiled articles of clothing 
laying around and no unclean utensils. It should 
be free from dust and odors and the dusting should 
be done by means of an oiled cloth for polished 
surfaces and a slightly damp cloth where dampness 
can work no harm. In this way there will be no 
particles of dust flying through the air. The 
clothing of the invalid, his person, and the bed 
linen should be immaculately clean. Unless the 
patient is so ill that baths are forbidden by the 
physician, a sponge bath should be given daily 
and the clothing changed as frequently as it seems 



In the Sick-room 213 

mussed. Ordinarily the bed linen should be 
changed every other day, but this depends upon 
the nature of the illness. Fever transmits very 
unpleasant odors and a fever patient requires 
constant care in this respect. 

To keep the room attractive by placing vases 
of odorless cut flowers around will cheer the invalid 
and help him materially when on the road to health. 
The water in which cut flowers are placed should 
be changed daily and the vase should be washed 
out with lukewarm water in which has been dis- 
solved a little bicarbonate of soda. This will 
kill any unpleasant odor arising from the decaying 
stems. Pots of growing plants placed in the room 
are better even than cut flowers, but they should 
be taken out after a day or two and new ones 
substituted in order to effect as much change of 
scene as possible. 

Absolute quiet by the members of the household 
should be insisted upon by the nurse or physician. 
The noises in hospitals are not so disturbing to a 
patient as the noises in the home for the reason 
that they are not so personal. Nothing is quite so 
disturbing to the average patient as the irritating 
noises, loud laughter, and shrill shouts which so 
many are forced to endure. Oftentimes without 
realizing it these noises shock the sensibilities and 



214 In the Sick-room 

grate upon the nerves in such degree that the 
patient's recovery is retarded. The banging 
of a door is one of the most irritating of noises, 
coming, as it does, wholly unexpected. Noises 
at regular intervals the patient can oftentimes 
accustom himself to and learns to hardly hear 
them, but the shrill shrieks of a child or the gross, 
nagging voice of an adult is extremely wearisome 
even in health and many times more trying when 
one is ill. Sometimes a mother's own children 
will irritate her more than any other noise and 
for this reason children should always be kept as 
far as possible from the sick-room when the mother 
is ill, except for a brief period daily when she 
feels strong enough to desire their presence. 
They should be admitted only for a short time and 
when the patient begins to grow tired they should 
be sent immediately from the room. To keep the 
patient tranquil and the mind at rest is one of the 
best restoratives to health in any illness. 

No disturbing news should ever be told to a 
patient and newspapers with their columns of dis- 
tressing casualties should be kept out of reach. 
For the patient who is able to read, current maga- 
zines, the contents of which have been carefully 
noted by the nurse, and light literature, is permis- 
sible, but no heavy reading should be indulged in. 



In the Sick-room 215 

No one should be permitted to enter a sick-room 
in an excited or nervous frame of mind. Even 
at the risk of angering a friend, the nurse should 
insist upon this. No sensible person will take 
offense at this and one who hasn't common sense 
is dangerous to have in a sick-room anyway. At 
any rate, if the nurse or physician takes the initia- 
tive, the patient cannot be blamed. Only those 
in a cheerful frame of mind should be allowed to 
come in close contact with an invalid, for after the 
caller leaves the patient has a great deal of time 
in which to think over what has been said and to 
dwell upon the unpleasant remarks that have been 
made. If possible, a cheerful physician should be 
chosen for a physician's personality often adds to 
or detracts from the effect of the treatment. A 
wise physician will at least always assume an air 
of cheerfulness while in the sick-room, though he 
may feel very depressed. But if a physician with 
a cheerful temperament cannot be chosen, the 
nurse always should be of a happy and optimistic 
nature. So important is this that it almost seems 
there should be a law passed making cheerfulness 
a requisite for admission to the profession. Under 
no circumstances engage a nurse who has not per- 
fect control of herself. A talkative, flighty, excita- 
ble nurse not only should be dismissed immediately, 



2i6 In the Sick-room 

but in fairness to others it should be made pubKc 
that she is not a calm, scientific, well-trained nurse 
and that she is not capable of doing her duty by an 
invalid. A nurse who is patient and gentle will 
have a soothing effect upon a patient. She should 
be well drilled in handling a patient and to be really 
a good nurse should be able to read character well, 
for on the sickbed, as at any other place, a patient 
must be dealt with according to his or her tempera- 
ment. She should know how to move around the 
room easily and noiselessly yet with seeming indif- 
ference to precaution. A nurse who jumps hastily 
from one thing to another, knocking against the 
furniture, should nurse only those on the battle- 
field, or out in the open where noises are not so 
noticeable and sounds not so readily reproduced. 
A patient is very human while ill and can easily 
be spoiled if his nature is such that he is easily 
spoiled, so there should never be displayed the 
tendency to humor a patient. The effect of spoil- 
ing is left long after the patient has recovered. In 
a long and protracted illness, a spoiled patient is 
very wearing on the nurse, and if the nurse be the 
mother who has many things to think about, real 
harm can be done. It is difficult to minister to a 
patient invalid and one who has no consideration 
for the nurse becomes a real problem indeed. 



In the Sick-room 217 

TEN HEALTH COMMANDMENTS 

1 . Ascertain and maintain your proper weight. 

2. Eat plain, digestible food. 

3. Breathe deeply through the nose. Stand, 
walk, and sit erect. 

4. Sleep outdoors if possible, if not, at least in 
a room with open windows. 

5. Learn to rest until you are really rested. 

6. Avoid patent medicines and all alcoholic 
drinks. 

7. Wear porous clothing and keep away from 
people with colds or other illnesses unless it is 
absolutely necessary to be near them. 

8. Exercise in the open air whenever possible — 
but exercise somewhere anyway. 

9. Eat an apple a day. 

10. Forget to worry about anything that might 
concern you. 

GENERAL 

The yolk of an egg and salt is very bene- 
ficial for toothache or a pain in the face. Mix 
the salt with the egg until about the consist- 
ency of mustard and use the same as a mus- 
tard plaster. This remedy is also good for snake 
bite. 



21 8 In the Sick-room 

Hiccoughs can be cured by taking a mouthful of 
water, pressing inward the tragus (the Kttle pro- 
tection in front of the orifice of the ear), and then 
swallowing the water. This has never been known 
to fail. 

To dislodge a fishbone, try suckinga lemon and 
swallowing the juice slowly. The citric acid in 
the lemon will dissolve the bone and it will slip 
harmlessly down the throat. 

Gum arable applied to a burn will stop the pain 
immediately as it shuts off the air. 

The skin of a boiled egg is a most effective remedy 
for a boiL Peel the skin off carefully and apply to 
the boil. It will draw off the matter and remove 
soreness in a few hours. 

An alcohol rub given a patient who has to lie in 
bed will prevent bed sores. 

Sitting on stone will oftentimes cause hemorrhoids. 

The weakest part of the spine is the back of the 
neck. When in danger of sunstroke see that the 
back of the neck is well protected. 

The juice of half a lemon in a glass of water 
taken before breakfast will prevent biliousness. 



In the Sick-room 219 

Stew spring onions in coarse brown sugar and 
take a teaspoonful at night. This will not only 
produce sleep but is very healthful. 

Exercising at night until physically tired is 
excellent as a cure for insomnia, 

A glass of warm milk upon retiring will bring 
sleep. 

A hot water bottle at the base of one's spine will 
rest the nerves and often produce sleepiness. 

Pew persons think to read advertisements to 
invalids, yet invalids are as interested as anyone 
else in keeping up with current inventions and 
ideas. 

Lettuce is good for the nerves. 

Beets and turnips contain iron. 

Tomatoes are good for the liver, as they stimu- 
late it. 

Celery is good for rheumatism. 
Spinach is good for the bowels. 
Carrots clear the complexion. 
Asparagus is excellent for the kidneys. 



220 In the Sick-room 

For those who suffer with cold feet there is 
nothing that will prove a greater comfort than a 
sand hag. Sand bags are particularly good for 
neuralgia of the face as they retain the heat a long 
time and may be made as small and light as desired. 
The sand should be placed in a tightly woven bag 
and this bag placed in still another bag. 

A teaspoonful of salt to a pint of warm water 
rubbed into weak ankles strengthens them. 

In bathing the feet of an invalid, draw the wet 
cloth across the sole always in the same direction 
and the feet will not be tickled. 

The first thing to do for a sprained ankle is to 
plunge it into hot water and keep it there — as hot 
as can be borne, adding more hot water from time 
to time to keep the temperature high. The heat 
will tend to loosen up the ankle tissues and help 
them to assume their natural positions. After 
soaking the ankle for an hour, bind it with flannel 
cloths wrung out of hot water (almost boiling) and 
cover with dry flannels. 

For tired and perspiring feet, dissolve epsom 
salts in the bath water. 

A strong salt water bath is very restful for tired 
feet. 



In the Sick-room 221 

When hot cloths are necessary in time of illness, 
a colander is a labor-saving device. Place the 
colander with the hot cloths over a kettle that is 
half full of boiling water. Cover colander closely 
and keep the kettle on the back of the range. In 
this way the change of cloths is quickly and easily 
made. 

In cases of illness where hot compresses are needed 
there is always the danger of burning one's hands 
when attempting to wring hot cloths out of boil- 
ing water. To avoid this use a potato ricer. 

The sick-room should be kept immaculately clean 
and should have a constant supply oi fresh air. 

Windows should he opened in a sick-room every 
two hours in cold weather and left to stand open a 
short while only for fear the patient will get chilled. 

A small quantity of carbolic acid poured into a 
very hot vessel will drive out flies and purify the 
air. 

Burn vinegar in the sick-room to purify the air. 

To ventilate the room at night and not soil expensive 
curtains y make bags of muslin and slip the cur- 
tains in them, pinning the bag to the top of the 
curtain. 



222 In the Sick-room 

A shield to use before the window on a cold night, 
which will still permit the air to enter, is made of a 
piece of heavy canvas or duck. The shield should 
hook to the window at both top and bottom. 
This will keep out the heavy winds and yet permit 
sufficient air. 

An electric fan in the sick-room is a comfort in 
winter as well as in summer. It will warm a cold 
room as effectively as it will cool a warm one. 
Place the fan in front of the radiator and start it. 
Within a very short time the air in the room will 
have been circulated through the coils of the radia- 
tor. The room will be comfortable in only a 
fraction of the time required for the radiation 
alone. 

Six or eight glasses of water should be taken into 
the system daily. 

In case of fainting lay the patient on his back and 
loosen the clothing. The head should not be as 
high as the rest of the body in order that the 
blood may rush to the head. Provide all the air 
possible. If the patient does not revive, sprinkle 
water on the face and give a teaspoonful of aro- 
matic spirits of ammonia in a large glass of water. 

Hysterics should be treated as simply as fainting. 



In the Sick-room 223 

If food gets lodged in the throat it can sometimes 
be worked out by pressing on the outside of the 
throat and working it up with the fingers. 

A little bicarbonate of soda in water for bathing 
will cool a fevered patient. 

A pinch of salt added to olive oil will rid it of the 
unpleasant taste and will make it agreeable to 
even the most exacting. 

When a dim light is required, put finely powdered 
salt on the candle till it reaches the black part of 
the wick. It will give a mild light all through the 
night. 

DISINFECTANTS 

Sunshine is the best disinfectant ever yet dis- 
covered. Clothes damp from perspiration should 
be dried in the sunshine, and all bedding should 
be put out in the sun regularly on cleaning 
days. 

Sal soda as a disinfectant is invaluable. Metals 
should be wiped with a solution of sal soda and 
water; clothing should be washed with this solu- 
tion, and it is good for bathing a patient, though 
the solution should be weak for this purpose. 



224 In the Sick-room 

A vessel of cold water setting in the room absorbs 
unhealthy gases. The water should not be used for 
drinking purposes. 

Extreme heat is a disinfectant. 

A room can be thoroughly disinfected by burning 
sulphur. Close the windows and doors and stop up 
the keyholes. Two pounds of sulphur is sufficient 
for a room twelve by twenty feet. 

Clothing should be washed after being worn dur- 
ing contagious diseases, in water to which has been 
added a little carbolic acid. 

In burning disinfectants, they should be put in 
a dish which stands in another dish containing 
water. 

FOOD AND DRINK 

All water should be boiled before allowing in- 
valids to drink. 

A safe drink for thirsty invalids is made with a 
teaspoonf ul of pearl barley, an ounce of sugar, and 
a quart of boiling water. Add part of the peeling 
of a lemon and let stand twelve hours. 

Currant jelly or cranberry juice mixed with 
water makes a pleasant drink for an invalid. 



In the Sick-room 225 

Retain water in which green vegetables are 
cooked for broths for invalids. Beat up an egg in 
it for bouillon. This gives the body salt, potas- 
sium and nourishment. 

To remove the fat from broth or soup intended for 
a delicate stomach, it is not necessary to allow it 
to become cold as is usually done. Instead, place 
a fine wire sieve on ice until it is thoroughly chilled 
and pour the liquid through this. The fat will 
stick to the cold wire and the broth will be ready 
for use. 

A glass of buttermilk before retiring and another 
upon rising in the morning will help greatly in 
getting rid of a coated tongue, or other symptoms 
of a disordered stomach. It is also excellent for 
clearing a muddy complexion and if a quart a day 
can be taken a decided change will be noticed in 
the complexion after a few weeks. This is a very 
simple and a very effective remedy for ailments 
which often call for drugs. 

A glass of buttermilk at night will induce sleep. 

Coddled eggs are very healthful and there is no 
danger of them ever becoming too hard. Let a 
kettle of water come to a fast boil, pour this boiling 
water over a pail of eggs, and cover with a lid and 

IS 



226 In the Sick-room 

let stand until ready to use. They will not harden 
to more than a creamy consistency. 

Raw meat is not palatable to an invalid and 
when it is ordered, it is best to make sandwiches 
by grating it very fine and mixing with pep- 
per and salt before spreading on the slices of 
bread. 

When a glass tube is necessary for the patient 
who cannot sit up to drink from a cup, a stick of 
macaroni will serve admirably if the other is not 
at hand. 

COLDS 

Powdered borax snuffed up the nose will dry out 
a cold in the head. 

Alum dissolved in water makes a very effective 
gargle for a sore throat. 

To cure a cold without the aid of fresh air is 
almost impossible. Sunshine and fresh air alone 
will go far toward curing a cold that is not too 
deep seated. 

A ten-minute leg and arm exercise, and a hot 
lemonade preceded by quinine will cure almost 
anyone of a cold. 



In the Sick-room 227 

Quinine followed by a drink of hot whisky and 
water is excellent for a cold. 

In doctoring a cold, care should be taken to keep 
the bowels moving freely. If the system is in good 
condition a cold is not likely to be contracted. 

Alternate gargles of peroxide and listerine are 
recommended for a sore throat. Peroxide tends 
to dry up sore places but used alone is very rough 
for a naturally dry throat. 

Keep the feet warm at night and you will avoid 
many colds. 

A little turpentine on a piece of woolen cloth 
is beneficial for a sore throat. 

Cold plunges are splendid preventatives of colds j 
but if the constitution cannot stand the shock, it is 
well to take a tepid bath and let the cold water run 
in gradually until the water is very cool. Many 
colds are contracted by taking hot baths just before 
going out. 

An alcohol rub is recommended for a pain in the 
side or neck which is caused from cold in a muscle. 

An alcohol rub after a bath is almost a sure pre- 
ventative of colds. 



228 In the Sick-room 

A teaspoonful of garlic juice on a little sugar will 
generally ward off a cold. 

POISONS 

To prevent accidents from bottles containing 
poison, tie a tiny little bell to the neck of the bottle 
or paste a piece of sandpaper securely to the top of 
the cork, the rough side out. One can easily de- 
tect the rough surface and thereby know the con- 
tents. 

Keep all bottles of poison labeled in large letters. 

A very simple and effective cure for poisoning 
from sumac or from poison oak is obtained from 
boracic acid. Bring a solution of the acid to the 
boiling point. Wring woolen cloths out of it and 
lay upon the affected parts as hot as it can be borne, 
covering with another woolen cloth to keep in the 
heat. When cool repeat this process and keep up 
for twenty minutes. After two hours repeat again. 
The heat does not burn the patient as might be 
expected but stops both the burning and the itch- 
ing. 

A small flashlight kept in the bathroom medi- 
cine cabinet will often prevent the wrong bottle being 
taken at night. 



In the Sick-room 229 

When cattle have eaten laurel their lives can often 
be saved by administering strong coffee. Strain 
and while warm turn it down their throats if they 
will not drink it. 



SANITARY HINTS 

A hox seat deep enough to hold the garbage pail 
and the box for old bottles, papers, etc., is a 
most useful convenience, but if this is not feasi- 
ble, a plain grocer's box is better than to have 
the unsightly vessels and boxes in plain view. 
Holes should be bored in the outside box for 
ventilation. 

A strong solution of washing soda in boiling 
water should be poured down the sink at night to 
keep it clean and purified. 

Drains should be disinfected regularly with a 
solution of two ounces of chloride of lime to one 
gallon of water. This will rid the bathroom of any 
unpleasant odor. 

Quicklime in a cellar or other damp place will 
absorb the moisture. 

Chloride of lime should be poured in the bath- 
room toilet frequently to keep it sanitary. 

230 



Sanitary Hints 231 

Sulphuric acid added to a basin of water and left 
in a room that has been freshly painted will de- 
stroy the odor of paint. 

Lime will clear water which has a bad odor. 

Burning vinegar will purify the air of a kitchen. 

Burning cedar wood dust will kill a disagreeable 
burning odor. 

Keep all butter, milk, and eggs on the bottom shelf 
of the refrigerator as odors rise to the top shelves. 

Anything with an odor should be placed at the 
top of the icebox. 

Absorbent cotton is a perfect filter er for muddy 
water. The cotton should not be used after it 
has become dirty. 

Mattresses, pillows, cushions, and blankets will 
last longer and be far more sanitary if put out in 
the sun one day of each week. The fresh, sweet 
odor is very pleasant upon going to bed. 

Mosquitoes and flies often enter the house by 
means of the chimney. If the screen for the fire- 
place does not fit closely, it is not difficult to make 
a screen that does fit. All that is needed is two light 



2 32 Sanitary Hints 

iron rods cut the desired length, a piece of wire 
netting, some brass paper fasteners, and a couple 
of brass headed nails. The netting should be 
folded over the edge of the screen and fastened 
with the paper fasteners. The brass heads, when 
put in at regular intervals, make an attractive 
finish. The brass headed nails should be driven 
in the wall to hang the rod of the screen on. This 
takes a very short while to make and is very 
inexpensive. 

Chloride of lime ior flies will drive them away. 

See that no vessels or tin cans of stagnant water 
are standing around breeding mosquitoes and flies. 

Flies may be killed by setting around the room a 
dish containing a mixture of cream, ground black 
pepper and sugar. 

Pour kerosene oil down area drains to keep mos- 
guitoes from breeding. 

The little black ant can be exterminated by 
sprinkling the powdered root of black flag around 
the backs of shelves and along the baseboard of the 
floor. 

An earthen dish filled with chloride of lime will 
exterminate black ants. 



Sanitary Hints 233 

A never-fail ant trap is made from a large sponge. 
Wash the sponge well and squeeze it dry. This 
will leave the cells open. Sprinkle on it some fine 
sugar and leave where the ants are troublesome. 
They will soon collect on the sponge, which can 
then be plunged into boiling water, and the ants 
will wash out by the thousands. 

Tie a string which has been dipped in kero- 
sene around the table legs and the ants will not 
climb up. This applies to refrigerators, beds, 
etc. 

Varnish the comers of beds and bugs will not 
remain. 

Set the legs of bedsteads in cans of kerosene and 
brush the corners with it, and the bugs will take 
flight. 

The best way to have clean milk is to keep it clean 
from the beginning, protecting it from the time it 
is milked. An excellent dairy pail has an adjust- 
able lid in which is an opening covered with a fresh, 
clean cheesecloth and also with absorbent cotton 
if desired. Wire clamps hold the straining cloth 
and permit its easy removal for washing. The 
milk is thus strained as the stream enters the 
bucket and the cover prevents dirt falling into it. 



234 Sanitary Hints 

Another fine feature of the pail is its provision with 
stout wire leg rests which does away with the tiring 
necessity of squeezing the bucket between the 
milker^s knees. 



PERSONAL APPEARANCE 

THE TREATMENT OF THE BODY 

A LITTLE daily care of the body not only adds 
materially to the attractiveness of a person, but 
it adds in wonderful degree to the health and 
longevity. Every portion of the body is benefited 
by having a little attention paid daily, but it is 
necessary to take care of certain parts of the body, 
such as the eyes, the hair, the nostrils, the teeth, 
the hands, and the skin, if one would live a healthy, 
normal life. 

If the eyes are under a strain from a great deal 
of use, and particularly if artificial light is used in 
the daytime, or if much time is given to reading or 
sewing in the evening, they should be given special 
care and attention. Nothing is better and more 
simple to use as a lotion for the eyes than a 
solution of boracic acid dissolved in a little tepid 
water. This should be poured into an eyeglass 
night and morning and turned into the eyes. 
The eyes will become clearer, brighter, and stronger 

235 



236 Personal Appearance 

for this twice-a-day application. A solution may- 
be made and kept in a bottle and labeled to pre- 
vent taking the wrong bottle when in a hurry. 
This is the best method for one who dresses hur- 
riedly in the morning and rushes to make a 
train. 

A precaution often neglected is with regard to 
the position of the light when reading or sewing. 
The light should always come from the left and a 
little to the rear. One should never lie down to 
read. A light over a bed may be a comfort but it 
is disastrous to the health. 

Hair should be brushed daily, even if only a few 
strokes are given. It will take but a few minutes 
each evening to brush the hair fifty strokes. Care 
should be taken that the brush is clean and strong. 
Good bristles are an economy. A half -worn brush 
will not invigorate the scalp, and the hair may as 
well not be brushed at all if it is not brushed prop- 
erly. If the scalp is subject to dandruff, it should 
be shampooed with a solution of borax dissolved 
in water. If the dandruff has a firm hold, especial 
attention should be given to find something that 
will agree with the scalp and yet free the head from 
the scale. Ordinarily a head kept fresh and clean 
by the use of a pure soap-and- water shampoo will 
not collect very much dandruff. If the hair is dry 



Personal Appearance 237 

and falls out, nothing is better than a semi-weekly 
application of vaseline which should remain on a 
day or two and then be shampooed out. Rubbing 
the vaseline on the hair is not necessary. A little 
applied to the roots with the tips of the fingers will 
be most beneficial. While the vaseline is on the 
hair it is very unsightly, but better to have an 
unattractive head of hair for a few weeks than 
to lose the hair altogether. A little massage at 
night, keeping the scalp loosened, is excellent for 
the hair, but care must be taken not to rub the 
hair loose from the scalp. A well tested remedy 
for falling hair is composed of two pints of bay 
rum, one ounce of castor oil, one-half ounce of 
carbonated ammonia, and one pint of alcohol well 
mixed. This tonic not only prevents hair falling 
out but promotes its growth. 

Many who take care of the eyes, hair, and throat 
will neglect the nostrils. The nose is subject to 
dirt, dust, and other impurities just the same as the 
eyes or skin and it should be bathed regularly. A 
solution of alkaline and antiseptic tablets dissolved 
in warm water and sent through the nose by means 
of a nasal douche, purchasable for about ten cents, 
keeps the nose from becoming clogged, frees it from 
germs, and prevents colds. Mild cases of catarrh 
can be absolutely cured by using this simple 



238 Personal Appearance 

remedy night and morning, and it clears the head 
splendidly during a cold. 

It hardly seems necessary to say anything about 
the teeth, as volumes have been written on this 
subject by able dentists, but with all that there are 
many who give but scant attention to them. To 
brush the teeth carelessly, taking care of only the 
outside, will cause pyorrhea. A thorough scouring 
with a good tooth paste three times a week and a 
good brushing after each meal with soap and water 
will be all that is necessary to keep the teeth clean. 
The teeth should be examined at least every six 
months by a reliable dentist, and if there are cavi- 
ties they should be filled at once in order to pre- 
serve the teeth. Particles of food should be 
removed from between the teeth after eating by 
means of dental floss or a wooden toothpick. 
Metal should never be used on the teeth or the 
enamel will crack and cavities will follow in im- 
mediate wake. No better whitener for the 
teeth can be found than common charcoal but care 
should be taken not to get it under the gums as it 
is difficult to remove and the toothbrush should be 
carefully cleaned after using. Charcoal used once 
a week will keep the teeth white and clean and free 
from tartar. 

Hands that do housework are constantly subject 



Personal Appearance 239 

to dust, dirt, and grime. Care in washing the 
hands will aid toward keeping them in good con- 
dition. A short-handled mop used for dish wash- 
ing will cause much of the grease and grime to be 
avoided. A piece of lemon should be kept at the 
sink to take off vegetable and fruit stains, and a 
bottle of peroxide should be kept in the bathroom, 
though its constant use is not advised as it tends 
to make the nails brittle. A little cold cream ap- 
plied to the nails each night will keep them pink 
and tender, and a good lotion for rubbing into the 
hands is a mixture of rose water and glycerine, or 
glycerine and lemon juice. Glycerine alone should 
not be used as it has a tendency to redden the 
hands while softening them. An old-fashioned 
remedy which our grandmothers used with beauti- 
ful result is buttermilk. This whitens the skin and 
has enough oil in it to soften it as well. 

The complexion is the foundation of good looks. 
No one can be homely with a beautiful complexion 
and no one can be beautiful without one. What is 
beneficial to one skin may be detrimental to an- 
other. For instance, one who has a tendency to 
grow hair on the face should never use oily sub- 
stances on the skin. For one who has a skin rough- 
ened by wind or sun, a little oil occasionally will 
prove beneficial. A few simple remedies can be 



240 Personal Appearance 

used alike by all persons. For instance, fresh 
cucumbers are excellent whiteners, as is lemon 
juice, though no acid should be used regularly on 
the skin. Buttermilk will give to a tender skin that 
pink and white freshness so much to be desired and 
it is safe for anyone to use as it contains really 
very little oil. Some complexions thrive on cold 
cream while some are made constantly shiny by its 
use. Each person should study her skin until she 
finds what is best suited to it. Cosmetics, of 
course, are very detrimental to the skin, and if 
coloring must be used, let it be a thin liquid that 
will not clog the pores, and let it be used very 
sparingly and never allowed to remain on the face 
at night. Those who do use oils and cold creams 
should not allow them to remain on the face over- 
night but should rub them off with a soft cloth, 
removing all particles of dust. Cold cream is ex- 
cellent for helping to free the face from blackheads, 
but its use should be preceded by a thorough 
washing with a pure soap and warm water, and 
it should then be gently massaged into the skin and 
rubbed out, when the face should be washed again 
with very cold water. Ice is better than water 
for rubbing on afterward, as it chills the skin and 
closes the pores after the blackheads have been 
removed. 



Personal Appearance 241 

A good face powder is not harmful to the skin, 
but it should be dusted on lightly and not rubbed 
into the pores. Powder, too, should be removed 
from the skin before retiring. A simple rice 
powder or some hygienic powder recommended by 
a physician should be selected. 

The most important factor in striving for a good 
complexion is a healthy body. A cupful of hot 
water in the morning before breakfast is a splendid 
remedy for a muddy complexion. If this is taken 
with regularity only the most stubborn of systems 
will refuse to yield to it. If clear hot water is un- 
pleasant to take, a little lemon juice squeezed into 
it will add to the taste, and lemon is very good for 
the liver. If one is anaemic, lemon and other acids 
should be taken with caution, but a few drops can- 
not be harmful to even an anaemic system. In 
hot climates, where it is best to keep the blood 
thinned and cooled, a whole lemon is taken daily 
in a glass of water. This simple remedy is almost 
a sure cure for biliousness and for constipation, 
upon which the clearness of the complexion de- 
pends. 

It may seem rather absurd to remind the house- 
worker that she should exercise, for she does exer- 
cise in a sense all the time while working, but she 
does not exercise all the parts of her body. She 
16 



242 Personal Appearance 

knows what parts are not exercised in her daily 
work and these parts should be given a little daily 
exercise if she would remain young, active, and 
lithe. There is nothing like systematic exercise 
for working up a glow and keeping the system in 
good condition. It is the best tonic one can have. 
Many who frequent Turkish baths for reducing 
could effect the same result at home at no greater 
expenditure of time and at no expenditure of 
money. Exercise works on the liver and prevents 
biliousness; it works on the bowels and prevents 
constipation. It works on the muscles and pre- 
vents premature old age. It works up the circula- 
tion and affects the hair, eyes, and complexion. 
Walking in itself is splendid exercise, and this, too, 
should be a regular procedure. 

A vacation will work wonders with the woman 
who is run down. While a daily rest is advisable, 
many busy mothers find so many tasks around the 
home that a rest is more often neglected, or taken 
only when she cannot keep up any longer. The 
man in an office does not find a few minutes' daily 
rest sufficient to keep him in condition, and the 
woman around the house does not get even the 
relaxation that a man does, who leaves his office 
regularly each night and gets such relaxation as 
comes with change of environment. A woman is 



Personal Appearance 243 

ever with her duties. They are constantly on her 
mind, and what good housewife does not think and 
plan for the next day's work — and the next week's, 
and the next month's? A vacation at least once 
a year should be required for every houseworker» 
for only in that way can she really be kept in 
condition to do good work, leaving her own per- 
sonal life entirely out of the question. It is es- 
sential that she get away once in a while to where 
she cannot be reminded at every turn of duties to 
be performed. 

Aside from the regular yearly or, if possible, 
semi-yearly vacation, there should be a regular 
hour each day when the tired mother or other 
houseworker lies down and closes her eyes, whether 
or not she sleeps. Twenty minutes at a regu- 
lar period each day will afford an excellent little 
rest if the mind is kept free at that time from 
all thought of housework or children, but it is 
necessary that she let her mind relax and not plan 
ahead with her work. If this is hard to accomplish, 
a little light reading will help to free her mind, and 
by and by the habit of napping will follow. 

The houseworker, and also the worker outside 
the home, when kept constantly busy at stated 
duties, are likely to neglect mental training. Fif- 
teen minutes a day can be found by one in almost 



244 Personal Appearance 

any vocation, and this amount of time given over 
to systematic reading will keep one well informed 
on the general topics of the day. Give this time, 
one day, to current events in a digested form, 
that is, read some good magazine editorials on 
what is happening in the world. Another day, 
read something from the classics, and the next day 
read from a present-day novel, and so on. To 
follow this course of systematic reading will 
stimulate the mind and add a fresh interest to life, 
not to comment on what it will mean in the years 
to come by increased mental faculties, keeping 
one young, and the impartation of a fund of 
interesting and useful knowledge to a younger 
generation. 

THE TEETH 

To remove tartar from the teeth: Wind a piece 
of absorbent cotton on an orange stick and dip 
in lemon juice and then in pumice stone. This 
should be applied vigorously to the tartar spots. 

Old-fashioned cider is one of the very best of 
tooth washes. 

Lemon juice will remove tartar, but it should be 
thoroughly removed afterward by rinsing with 



Personal Appearance 245 

tepid water, as acids are injurious to the teeth if 
allowed to remain on. 

In times of illness when there is danger of using 
powders and pastes in connection with medicines, 
prepared chalk is recommended as being perfectly 
safe. 

The fastidious woman who does not care to run 
the risk of unpleasant odors in the mouth will find 
the following a very satisfactory preventive : 

Boric acid, i drachm 

Hydrogen peroxide, 2 fluid ounces 

Glycerine, i fluid ounce 

Rose water, 3 fluid ounces 

Mix, dissolve, and filter. 

The teeth should always be cleaned thoroughly 
before retiring at night. 

THE SKIN 

Garlic eaters have good skins, for garlic is excel- 
lent in treating eruptions of all sorts. 

Tissue paper should be kept on the toilet table. 
It is good for thoroughly drying the skin and 
for rubbing off cold cream when applied to the 
face. 



246 Personal Appearance 

A little cold cream applied nightly to the roots 
of the finger-nails will make them grow fast and 
keep them tender and pink-looking. 

A shaving compound much in use in former 
days was made from a pound of plain white 
soap dissolved in a small quantity of alcohol, 
as little as can be used; to this was added a 
tablespoonful of borax. Next the soap was 
shaved and put into a cup and placed on the 
fire in a dish of boiling water; when melted, the 
alcohol was added and the mixture removed from 
the fire. Oil of bergamot sufficient to perfume 
was added. 

A splendid complexion bleach is composed of a 
tablespoonful of grated horseradish stirred into a 
cupful of sour milk. This should stand twelve 
hours and then be strained. This bleaches the 
complexion and takes off tan. 

Buttermilk rubbed on the skin is an excellent 
skin bleach. 

Red veils as a preventive of sunburn are better 
than any cosmetic ever invented. Motoring, 
golfing, yachting may be indulged in in compara- 
tive safety with regard to the cuticle, for the sun's 
rays do not penetrate red gauze. 



Personal Appearance 247 

Lemon juice will remove freckles , though it is no 
guarantee of their not returning. It should be 
used only on the freckles and not used lavishly 
on the skin as the acid is very strong. 

Cold cream rubbed on the skin each night and 
left for an hour, then rubbed off gently with a soft 
cloth, will keep the skin clean and soft. 

A permanent cure for chapped hands can be 
effected by rubbing into them, after washing, corn- 
meal or oatmeal. The meal absorbs all the mois- 
ture and tends to heal the cracks and in the course 
of a week will leave the hands soft and in good 
condition. 

A small cup of paste composed of vinegar and 
cornmeal kept on the sink and used on the hands 
in place of soap keeps them in good condition and 
removes stain. 

If potatoes are kept in cold water when paring 
them there will be little or no stain left on the fingers. 
This also applies to onions with regard to the 
odor. 

The inside of banana peeling rubbed on ink 
spots on the fingers will entirely remove the 
spots. 



248 Personal Appearance 

Nothing will clean the hands more quickly than 
a piece of lemon. Rub it over the hands and rinse 
off the water. It will remove even ink or fruit 
stains from the skin. 

The hands should be washed in warm water, not 
hot, and thoroughly dried before laying aside the 
towel. To neglect to dry the hands thoroughly 
will soon cause them to become rough and red. 

Repeated wetting of the skin is bad. 

The acid of vinegar or lemon juice destroys the 
corrosive effects of the alkali contained in soaps, 
and if the hands are dipped in one of these acids 
immediately after having been used in soapsuds 
or soft soap there will be no injury to the skin. 
To rub the hands afterward with a little commeal 
or oatmeal will keep them soft. 

A remedy for perspiring hands is composed of a 
tablespoonf ul of alum dissolved in a quart of water. 
The hands should be held in the solution half an 
hour before going to bed every night until relieved. 

Tar can be removed from the hands by rubbing 
with a slice of orange or lemon peel. The volatile 
oils in the skin dissolve the tar so that it can be 
wiped off. 



Personal Appearance 249 

Borax solution should be kept on the toilet table. 
A teaspoonful of powdered borax dissolved in a 
pint of hot water will last a long time. This 
solution is valuable for use in the eyes, for dipping 
cotton and cleansing the nose with the aid of a 
toothpick, and as a mouth wash. 

To prevent dirt getting under the edges of the 
finger nails when gardening or doing other dirty- 
work, rub the ends of the fingers with candle wax. 
Take care to get it well under the nails, and when 
the work is finished and the hands washed there 
will be no telltale marks. 

Acetic acid will remove small growths or warts 
which appear on the face or hands. Only the 
growth should be touched with the acid and it 
should be applied by means of a toothpick once or 
twice each day until the growths have dried up. 
It is a slow but a sure process and leaves no mark 
on the skin afterward. 

Equal parts of ordinary baking soda and talcum 
powder make a cooling and refreshing lotion for 
the skin. This will also save talcum powder bills. 

Small pieces oj toilet soap can be put into boiling 
water and made into a thick jelly, which is excel- 
lent for whitening and softening the hands. 



250 Personal Appearance 

BODILY ODORS 

A solution of bicarbonate of soda in water for 
bathing will absolutely kill the odor of perspiration. 

A cup of strong coffee will remove the odor of 
onions from the breath. 

An unpleasant odor in the mouth can be remedied 
by rinsing the mouth with any aromatic mouth- 
wash which a reliable druggist can recommend. 
Bicarbonate of soda solution will rid the mouth of 
an unpleasant odor but it is not well to use it often 
as it does not have a good effect on the saliva 
glands. 

THE HAIR 

Half a cupful of salt and flour in equal propor- 
tions rubbed through the bristles of a hairbrush 
will make it as clean as new. Shake the mixture 
out well before using the brush. 

Hairbrushes and combs should be cleaned by 
washing in water to which ammonia has been 
added. Merely dip the bristles of the brush up 
and down in the solution. 

Kerosene oil is very good for rubbing into the 
roots of the hair. It should be left on overnight. 



Personal Appearance 251 

VaseKne rubbed into the scalp will prevent the 
hair from Jailing out and will give a new growth of 
hair. White vaseline should be used for light hair 
and the reddish-tinted vaseline for dark hair. 

Hot curling irons should never be used on the 
hair. Each time they are used the hair is injured, 
if not some of it actually burned ojff. If the hair 
is rolled into tight curls at night and then rolled 
into a little knot and a hairpin stuck through it, 
it will have a naturally curly appearance. Care 
should be taken not to put it up too tight as it does 
not take much to pull out the roots. Kid curlers 
also are desirable, but many of the metal curlers 
are very injurious as they cut the hair. 

A very beneficial treatment for the hair is to 
walk out doors without a hat on during warm damp 
weather or when the dew is falling. This is good 
for both complexion and hair. The damp air is 
a beautifier and if the feet and body are well pro- 
tected there will be no danger of taking cold. 

For oily hair, beat the white of an egg as stiff 
as possible and rub it into the hair until it is wet 
all over. Allow this to dry when the egg will brush 
out like a fine white powder and leave the hair 
fluffy and bright. 



252 Personal Appearance 

One of the very best of preparations for retaining 
the tint oj auburn hair is a solution of 5 cents worth 
of salts of tartar diluted in a pint of warm water. 
This should be rubbed into the hair until a good 
lather is worked up, and left on the hair for about 
half an hour before rinsing in clear water. This 
is very cleansing and will bring out what auburn 
tints there are in the hair. 

After washing the hair a good way to thoroughly 
rinse it is to fill a common tin flower sprinkling can 
with water and suspend on a nail or hook above the 
head over the bathtub. The water comes with 
just enough force to rinse and the sprinkler can be 
filled as often as necessary. 

A hair shampoo which will leave the hair soft and 
silky is made by dissolving one-half ounce of 
carbonate of ammonia and one ounce of borax in 
one quart of water; then add two ounces of glycer- 
ine in three quarts of New England rum and one 
quart of bay rum. Moisten the hair with this 
liquid; shampoo with the hands until a light lather 
is formed ; then wash off with plenty of water. 

To rid the scalp of dandruff requires daily care. 
Take four ounces of glycerine, five ounces of tinc- 
ture of cantharides, four ounces of bay rum, and 



Personal Appearance 253 

two ounces of water. This should be appKed once 
a day and rubbed well into the scalp. 

Asa hair wash: Dip the hair in a basin of warm 
water. Rub the juice of a lemon into the scalp, 
rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft towel. The 
lemon juice removes dirt and grease, leaving the 
hair soft and glossy. 

Gray hair should always be shampooed with a 
soap that is pure white. A tinted soap will leave 
the hair yellow. Castile soap is recommended. 

A rubber bathing cap for dusting and other house- 
work will protect the hair much better than a 
cloth one. For wear when working with gasoline 
or kerosene it is invaluable. 

The hair should be frequently ventilated in order 
to keep the scalp healthy. A sun-bath is very 
important to keep the hair in good condition. 
This should be given at least once a week. 

In applying tonics to the scalp the hair should be 
parted in strands and the tonic applied directly to 
the head with a piece of absorbent cotton. The 
ends of the hair should then be shaken vigorously 
in order to send a quick current of air through 
it. 



^^ 



254 Personal Appearance 

Tar soap should not be used on light hair. In 
order to bring out the light tints, a pure white 
soap, preferably Castile, should be used. Tar 
soap, or other dark soaps can be used to advantage 
on dark hair. 

The following lotion is excellent for use on soggy 
hair: 

% oz. powdered bicarbonate of soda 
yi oz. powdered borate of soda 

1 oz. eau de cologne 

2 oz. alcohol 

3^8 oz. distilled water. 
This should be well shaken and applied to the hair 
every night and massaged well into the scalp. 
This is to be used only for those whose scalp and 
hair are in a moist condition. 

A simple and effective hair invigorator is composed 
of two pints of bay rum, one pint of alcohol, one 
ounce castor oil, one-half ounce carbonated am- 
monia, and one ounce of tincture of cantharides. 
These ingredients should be well mixed and if 
applied consistently will not only prevent the hair 
from falling out but will prompt its growth. 



VISITING 

One is asked to be a guest in the home of another 
for one of three reasons: either she is desirable 
because she makes herself so pleasant in the house- 
hold that the care and thought which must neces- 
sarily be given her are worth while; she is good 
company and helps to entertain other guests; or, 
she is invited in order to pay a social obligation. 

An invitation for the last named reason does not 
tend to send a glow of satisfaction over the recipi- 
ent, so when it comes, it behooves the prospective 
guest to plan her visit in such way that the next 
time she is invited it will be for one or both of the 
former reasons. 

The guest who would have her host and hostess 

made happy by her visit must show consideration 

while in their house. If there is work to be done 

by the hostess, it will take little effort on the part 

of a visitor to help with it. If the hostess finds 

the guest's bed made and the room dusted and in 

order it will give her a sense of relief in passing on 

to her next duty, and she will think with appred- 

255 



256 Visiting 

ation of the guest who had her in mind. To leave 
an untidy room or to leave a dirty bathtub is a 
certain way of insuring unwelcome thoughts 
whenever the former guest's name is mentioned, 
and it is also likely to insure the non-receipt of 
another invitation. 

If there are little children in the family who con- 
stantly clamor for mother's attention, it will be a 
great help to take them out of the way and interest 
them for an hour or two. A few hours undisturbed 
in which to do her housework means more to a 
busy mother than an unexperienced person can 
imagine. And nothing quite so touches a mother's 
heart as to feel that her children are interesting to 
her friends. Charming little pictures snapped 
without mother's knowledge and mailed to her 
after leaving will call forth very pleasant recollec- 
tions in after days and will be a reminder for 
another invitation. 

To be agreeable without making it evident that 
one is trying to be, calls forth great skill and tact 
unless the feeling is from within. If a feeling of 
appreciation for an invitation is lacking, then put 
yourself in the place of your hostess and note 
what it would cost you to entertain your friends. 
You will soon realize what it means and then the 
feeling will come from within. To argue with a 



Visiting 257 

member of the family, or with a fellow guest, or 
to press one's own point of view is not conducive 
to popularity. A hostess appreciates the thought- 
ful guest who makes herself agreeable in conversa- 
tion and in that way helps to make pleasant the 
stay of another guest. There are two places where 
one should be most thoughtful of the opinion of 
others, and those two places are your own home 
and theirs. To disregard the feelings of your 
guests is to give them the impression that you 
are not entirely satisfied with them, and they are 
consequently made less comfortable ; while to carry 
this atmosphere into the home of another who is 
trying to increase your own happiness, is to say the 
least, a very sure way of showing that her efforts 
are not appreciated. 

One very good point to remember is that al- 
though your hostess has invited you for a stay at 
her home because your company is desirable, she 
did not do it with the feeling that she was anxious 
for every moment of your time. To go to your 
own room and stay to yourself occasionally will 
save a good deal of wear and tear on the nerves of 
your hostess who has much to do. Be agreeable 
and be ready to follow her suggestions for your 
entertainment, but do not be absolutely dependent 
upon her for her society every moment of your stay. 

17 



258 Visiting 

If dishes are served which you do not like, eat 
them if you can. It will not hurt you to cultivate 
a taste for hitherto unliked foods and it is very 
disappointing to the caterer to feel that the food 
she has taken such pains to provide does not meet 
with the approval of those for whom she planned it. 
If you cannot eat certain dishes, say nothing about 
them, but do eat heartily of those you do Uke. 
Nothing is more pleasing to a good cook, and 
particularly if she be the hostess, than to have her 
guests fond of her food. 

If you admire your friends' home and children, 
tell them so while you are with them. One of the 
greatest delights to a true home-maker is to feel 
that her friends are really enjoying her home with 
her. 

A word may well be added about overstaying 
one's visit. If invited for a definite time, leave 
promptly at the end of that time, or if no date for 
departure was mentioned upon receiving the invi- 
tation, make sure that the length of time you do 
stay will be agreeable to your host and hostess. 
Even the most welcome of guests can be an incon- 
venience under certain circumstances. There may 
be any one of a number of reasons why it would not 
be convenient for you to stay longer, none of which 
your hostess is likely to disclose to you. 



Visiting 259 

As a last word, whatever else you neglect, do not 
neglect to write and thank your hostess for your 
visit. If you have enjoyed it, the slightest grati- 
tude will prompt you to say so, and if it has not 
been all that was expected, bear in mind that the 
burden was on the part of the host and hostess. 
They were necessarily put to some amount of 
trouble on your account and if no appreciation is 
shown for their efforts, the remembrance is some- 
times very galling. 

If you have noticed a lack of some little article 
in the home, to provide this on a birthday or at 
Christmas is a consideration which will be appre- 
ciated. It need not be an expensive present. 
Pieces of linen, hand embroidered, or even hem- 
stitched, are always in demand in any home, and 
no housewife can have too much linen, but what- 
ever you do, avoid any indication that your gift 
is a ** bread and butter present'* sent merely to 
repay your hostess for what she has done. 



THE KITCHEN GARDEN 

A KITCHEN garden, though of very small di- 
mensions, is a profitable investment. Even in a 
city back yard it can be made a financial profit, 
and from the standpoint of health nothing can be 
more beneficial to the worker than a few moments 
spent out of doors each day with a trowel and fork. 

For those who live in the real country no advice 
is needed as to what can or cannot be raised to 
advantage, but many residents of suburban towns 
have never reckoned the cost and profit of even a 
small garden. The expense of a garden after the 
first season is very slight in comparison to the pro- 
duce it yields. All vegetables cannot be raised to 
advantage on a small scale, but lettuce, tomatoes, 
radishes, onions, string beans, rhubarb, parsley, 
peppers, and cucumbers are among the number 
that yield splendid results for the time and money 
spent. 

Seed should be purchased from a dealer who is 

absolutely reliable. Failure in gardening is often 

attributed to the lack of experience of the amateur 

260 



The Kitchen Garden 261 

gardener, when the fault lies with the seed. No 
big seedsman keeps over old stock, but the small 
shops will carry seed from year to year which is 
worthless. 

Great pains should be taken in planting to see 
that the seed is put into the ground at the right 
depth. The depth varies with the different seeds 
but generally seeds should be covered to three 
times their own depth in order to make them germi- 
nate. It is impossible in a few pages to give much 
information with regard to this subject. An ex- 
cellent plan in starting a garden is to purchase 
some good book on gardening written by a reputa- 
ble gardener. 

With soil suited to the individual vegetables, 
good fresh seeds, a little daily care along systematic 
lines, success in gardening is practically assured. 
There is danger of course from bugs and worms 
but these pests can be exterminated if one is 
persistent. 

In order to have vegetables early in the season 
a cold frame is recommended. This can be made 
with very little trouble. Dig a hole in the ground 
of the size required for the cold frame. Twenty 
square feet will be found large enough for starting 
a good -sized garden. This hole should be dug to a 
depth of at least two and a half feet and heavy 



262 The Kitchen Garden 

boards fastened around the sides. Glass sashes 
can be bought of any desired size. This cold frame 
serves the purpose of protecting the young plants 
from the cold and permitting the sunlight to shine 
on them at the cost of little trouble. Seeds started 
indoors should be placed in the sunlight for a part 
of each day, the sun preferably coming through 
a window for if they are exposed to the cold air 
they are likely to catch cold and meet a sudden 
death. 

Here is a report made by an energetic young 
amateur farmer housewife who made of her kitchen 
garden a place of pleasure and a profitable invest- 
ment : 

''Our home being in the city, our garden plot 
was of very small dimensions, measuring in all 
about eighty square feet. When we moved into 
the house we found the back yard cluttered up with 
various kinds of debris and there was no indication 
that thought had ever been given to vegetation 
beyond an excellent growth of grass and a few 
neglected pots and boxes with the flowers strug- 
gling hard for an existence. The yard is sunny 
from early morning until about two in the after- 
noon. The strength of the grass indicated the rich 
soil underneath so we spaded it up and turned it 
under six weeks before we were ready to plant in 



II 



The Kitchen Garden 263 

order to. make humus. At planting time most of 
the grass was decayed and all the extra fertilizer 
we needed for the entire summer was a twenty- 
five-cent can of chemical fertilizer purchased from a 
department store. 

" String beans were planted to climb up on the 
area railing, on poles, and on a dead but bushy 
cherry tree which stood in the corner of the yard. 
In all, we realized eight quarts of string beans when 
beans were selling at ten cents a quart. The seed 
beans cost us ten cents. 

'' The first planting of lettuce consisted of thirty- 
six heads when lettuce in the' market was twelve 
cents per head. Lettuce we found very easy to 
raise, having taken care to make this part of the 
garden plot particularly rich and to keep it slightly 
damp all the time to insure rapid growth, otherwise 
it would have gone to seed before heading. The 
second sowing of lettuce later in the season when 
the sun was very hot, we transplanted to the space 
between the tomato plants in order that it might 
be shaded. This second planting yielded us 
twenty heads and lettuce was then selling at seven 
cents per head. All the lettuce was produced from 
a ten-cent package of seed. 

" The young tomato plants we bought for ten 
cents per dozen and out of the eighteen plants set 



kk. 



264 The Kitchen Garden 

out, fifteen Kved and bore excellent fruit. From 
these fifteen plants we had all the tomatoes we 
could use for the summer for our family of five and 
canned ten quarts at no expense except the gas 
consumed in cooking them. As we ate tomato 
salad two and three times a week, we estimated 
that a clear profit of thirty quarts was made when 
tomatoes averaged ten cents per quart during the 
summer. 

**A five-cent package of radish seed was more 
than we required to produce radishes in such 
abundance that we not only had all we could eat 
but gave away a great many. 

'* A five-cent package of onion sets of the small 
white variety gave us at accurate calculating 
eighty cents' worth of young onions and much 
earlier in the season than the hucksters got around 
with theirs. The tops we did not estimate on, 
though we used them constantly for seasoning, 
for frying with steak, and for scrambling with 
eggs. 

'' A five-cent package of beet seed we planted in 
small trenches in the garden and we got nineteen 
bunches of beets of a size that retailed in the 
market at five cents per bunch. As these really 
were all ready to eat within a period of a few weeks, 
we grew a little tired of them so we pickled three 



The Kitchen Garden 265 

quarts for the winter, saving fifty cents extra by 
not having to buy canned beets. 

'* A rhubarb plant, costing twenty cents, planted 
in the early sprixig produced eighty cents* worth of 
rhubarb, and we have transplanted the roots to 
the cellar for the winter to yield a still further 
crop. 

'*A dozen parsley plants for fifteen cents have 
grown in such profusion that we have had more 
than we could use. We have put some in pots for 
the winter. 

"Three small eggplant bushes at five cents each 
have yielded in all ten large eggplants of a size 
for which we pay fifteen cents apiece from the 
huckster. 

"From three pepper plants of the small variety, 
we have picked four quarts of peppers. Two of 
these we pickled for the winter and the other two 
quarts we ate at intervals during the summer as 
they grew to maturity. As peppers were selling 
for fifteen cents a quart in the market, this gave 
us a profit of fifty-five cents. 

"Ten cents' worth of cucumber seeds was more 
than we could use on our small space, but from this 
plot we pickled four quarts of cucumbers and es- 
timate that we ate during the season about eighty 
cents' worth, making a saving of about a dollar 



266 The Kitchen Garden 

and a half. We do not think we did as well as 
we should have done with cucumbers as the soil 
was too rich. 

'^Altogether we made a profit of nearly $16.00 in 
our small garden, and we felt well repaid for the 
trouble." 

Of course one who is thrifty enough to have a 
vegetable garden will realize the pleasure to be 
derived from cultivating flowers, and of flowers 
there is such a variety of choice in rank and color 
that all one needs to do is to decide on the color 
scheme and the variety. If space is valuable and 
both a vegetable garden and a flower garden can- 
not be had, to plant a few flowers along the borders 
of the vegetable beds will give great satisfaction. 
Flowers for the indoors should be placed near an 
eastern window as the morning sunlight is more 
beneficial than the afternoon sunlight. A window 
box is among the most delightful of methods for 
cultivating plants as the flowers can be seen from 
both the inside and the outside. If there is any 
doubt as to what flowers should be planted for the 
various seasons and climates, a postal addressed 
to one of the big horticulturists will bring a re- 
liable catalogue giving much valuable information, 
but experience alone will prove a splendid guide in 
the end. 



The Kitchen Garden 267 

THE CARE OF PLANTS 

A little ammonia in water makes a rich fertilizer 
for plants and tends to keep off bugs. The dirty 
water from house cleaning will answer as well as 
fresh water with a new supply of ammonia. 

Twice during the winter plants should be wet 
with weak lime water and the garden beds will show 
the benefit if lime water is put on them early in the 
spring. This also helps to make the ground porous. 

Plants should he kept clean to permit the air to 
circulate through the leaves' lungs. 

To get the best out of plants they should he 
cultivated frequently. Keep an old fork near the 
pots and use it to loosen the earth. This gives the 
roots a chance to force their way through the earth 
and furnishes air. 

A thin layer of white sand sprinkled over the 
soil wherever there are seeds helps to retain the 
moisture and prevents the soil from forming a crust 
on topy which keeps the plants from thriving well. 

The water in which heef has been washed is an 
excellent tonic treatment. Roses and geraniums 
especially are benefited by this treatment. 



I 



268 The Kitchen Garden 

When your house plants look a trifle dejected 
and water does not revive them, try putting coffee 
grounds on the roots three times a week; then 
once a week give them a tablespoonful of olive 
oil; do not allow the earth to become hard and 
dry. 

If space is left between the crock containing a 
Jem and the pan in which the crock is placed, an 
extra supply of water can be kept in it and the fern 
will stay moistened. This keeps the root and the 
earth uniformly moist and in doing this the fern 
need be watered only once a week, or twice at the 
most. A piece of metal or brick can be placed in 
the pan and the crock set on this and it will not be 
noticeable. 

To keep pansy blossoms blooming all summer, 
pick the blossoms before they fade, give liquid 
manure after midsummer, and remove a part of the 
plant with the blossoms after the season is well 
advanced. 

Lilies of the valley planted on all four sides of the 
house will insure a long season for them. Those 
on the south side will bloom first while those on the 
other sides will come along in succession as the 
weather grows warmer. 



The Kitchen Garden 269 

When watering house plants, take a small funnel, 
hold close to the roots, then pour water in it. 
This prevents the water spattering on window sill 
or floor. 

In most communities there are bogs with rich 
loam, valuable for plants, to be had for the mere 
cost of hauling it, yet gardeners will pay a high 
price for fertilizer. 

Before putting earth in window boxes, whitewash 
the inside of the box. This not only keeps a 
wooden box from rotting but prevents insects. 

A cultivated area between rows of closely planted 
shrubs stimulates the growth and is easier to keep 
in order than grass, which succeeds poorly beneath 
the shade and is difficult to mow. 

Care should be taken that freedom is given roots 
of plants as well as the outside growth. If the 
roots are crowded the plant will appear stunted. 

Newly planted shrubbery should be cut back 
severely at time of planting if the planting is done 
in the springtime. This reduces the number of 
buds to be supplied with nourishment and makes 
the growth more vigorous. From one third to one 
half of the top should be removed. If the planting 



270 The Kitchen Garden 

is done in the fall it is best to wait until spring for 
pruning. 

A layer of small stones should be put in the 
bottom of flower pots and boxes to prevent the 
water from running through too fast. 

After planting seeds, the earth should be firmly 
pressed down with a flat board. The pressure 
helps germination and gives the seeds a firm hold 
and they are not liable to be washed out of place 
when the ground is being watered. 

Do not water plants or seeds when the surface of 
the soil looks damp. There is danger of rotting 
seeds and young plants. For seeds a whisk broom 
should be dipped in a pail of water and the water 
sprinkled lightly on the earth. 

A pane of glass placed over the earth in which 
seeds are planted will help to keep the ground warm 
and moist and hasten germination. 

To make a fertilizer for house plants, dissolve in 
one half pint of boiling water two ounces of sul- 
phate of ammonia and one ounce of nitrate of 
potash. Bottle and cork tightly. Use a teaspoon- 
ful of it to three quarts of lukewarm water. This 
fertilizer has the added virtue of being very ob- 



The Kitchen Garden 271 

noxious to the small white worms that infest 
flowers. 

Tuberous rooted begonias and tuberoses are best 
started in the house in March or April and planted 
out about the end of May. They do not pine for 
sun but are very exacting as to soil, which must be 
very rich and moist. Sand and old cow manure or 
pulverized sheep manure, which can be bought in 
small quantities at any florist's, and plenty of 
water should be given throughout the season. 

Seed should be marked when planting so that 
there may be no mistake when little plants begin 
to appear. This is very essential as different 
plants require such absolutely different treatment. 
This labeling applies to outdoor plants as well as 
to those for pots. 

When planning winter plants^ allow space for a 
bed of parsley and another of mint. They will prove 
very useful and delightful to the eye. If winter 
planting must all be in pots, even a pot of each of 
these plants will be satisfactory. 

Hardwood ashes are excellent for roses and violets. 

A garden calendar will prove very helpful to jot 
down the flowers and shrubs that are blooming on 



272 The Kitchen Garden 

the dates. This will act as a guide for the next 
year's flowers. 

The petunia stands the summer^ s heat splendidly 
and looks well planted wherever the white, violet, 
and mauve colored flowers accord with the sur- 
rounding flowers. 

Verbenas are drought resisting and have a wide 
range of colors. 

Violets should be separated and planted in a rich 
soil in the open ground protected from the sun's 
strong rays. Too much sunlight makes for all 
leaves and no flowers. 

Judgment should be exercised in planting flowers. 
The tall ones should be planted in the background 
and the smaller varieties brought toward the front, 
A little thought given to the color scheme will more 
than repay the gardener. 

Pansies and daisies can be effectively grouped 
with hyacinths and earlier tulips. 

Flowers transplanted in the fall into small 4-inch 
pots and sunk into the ground in the cold frame 
will fill in the gaps in the borders during the 
summer. 



The Kitchen Garden 273 

Young cedar and pine trees had better be planted 
in the springtime, though the older stock can be 
successfully transplanted during the summer and 
early fall. 

While waiting for shrubbery to grow to hide un- 
sightly places, plant annuals and quick growing 
vines. The result will be most satisfactory. 

Vines planted near clothes poles and unattractive 
dead bushes and allowed to climb up on them 
will make of a commonplace back yard a pretty 
garden spot. 

The kitchen porch should never be neglected. 
Vines and flower pots should find a home here if at 
no other place. Flowers will thrive readily near 
the kitchen for care can be so easily given them. 

Lilies of the valley thrive best on the north side 
of the house and a north room will have a charm 
all its own if a box of lilies of the valley is just out- 
side the window. 

Roses should be planted on the south side of the 
house in a well protected area to get the best results. 

Where there is only a small garden plot and little 
space can be given to flowers, sweet peas and other 

18 



274 The Kitchen Garden 

plants that grow upward instead of bushing out 
will give great pleasure if planted around the edge 
of the garden bed. 

Any reliable nurseryman will give information 
enabling one to have a planting of flowers that will 
give a succession of bloom throughout the seasons. 
This information can be had for the asking, or if 
a nursery is not near, the information can be gleaned 
from a good catalogue. 

Elephant ear and castor oil beans make splendid 
shade and should be planted in that part of the 
garden where the sun's rays are too strong for 
young plants. 

Blackberry vines and grape vines planted on the 
back fence not only prove valuable for their product 
but they are beautiful to look at. 

A galvanized washtub sunk into the ground 
makes a good tank for water lilies. If a few gold- 
fish are kept in this tank they will eat the mosqtiito 
larvce as well as be a pleasing sight to the eye. 

Common carrots planted with sweet alyssum 
make the prettiest border imaginable for flower 
beds. The delicate femlike leaves of the carrot 
harmonize nicely with sweet pea blossoms for a 



The Kitchen Garden 275 

bouquet also; and with many other dainty flowers 
having little or no foliage of their own. 

Dahlias are most satisfactory for planting, as 
they come in a great variety of color and no flower 
surpasses them for beauty of form. 

Mixed borders afford a very satisfactory way to 
grow flowers in a small space. Tall perennials 
should be kept in the background and care should 
be given with regard to the color scheme and the 
season for blossoms that there may be flowers in 
bloom at all times. 

A mixture which makes hyacinths bloom more 
profusely and gives them a richer color is composed 
of two ounces of sulphate of ammonia and one 
ounce of nitrate of potash dissolved in one half 
pint of boiling water. 

CUT FLOWERS 

Flowers may be revived by plunging the stems 
into boiling water. 

If poppies are plunged immediately after picking 
into the vase of water in which they are to remain, 
they will keep several days. Flowers can be 
arranged to greater advantage if picked in the 



276 The Kitchen Garden 

garden and put immediately into vases and there 
will not be a lack of flowers or overcrowded vases, 
nor is there any dirt from the leaves to clean 
up. 

To keep tulips for table use as a decoration, a tiny 
bit of wax should be dropped in the calyx of each 
flower. They will have a much longer life than if 
this is not done. 

Flowers may he kept for a number of hours if no 
air is permitted to get to them. They should be 
wet thoroughly, put in a damp place, and covered 
with wet newspapers or cotton. 

Almost any kind of bright wood berries may be 
preserved for decoration by dipping them in 
melted paraffin and putting away in a cool place 
until needed. Treated in this way they will 
retain their brightness and shape for months and 
will make an effective decoration. 

Charcoal or camphor dissolved in the vase in 
which cut flowers are placed will keep them fresh 
a long time. 

Salt is very good for putting in a vase of roses. 
It nourishes the stems and keeps the roses fresh 
a much longer time. 



The Kitchen Garden 277 

Cut flowers placed in water slightly colored with 
washing blue last much longer than in clear water. 

A fern that is thought to be dead often can be 
revived by standing the pot in a tub of very hot 
water for an hour — or until the water cools. 

VEGETABLES 

Vegetables and flowers should be picked early in 
the morning while the dew is on them. The dew 
gives the vegetables a more delicate flavor and the 
flowers will live longer. 

One of the best ways to have a rich garden spot 
is to divide the garden into two parts, keeping the 
chickens in one side and growing vegetables in the 
other, and reversing them each year. By this 
plan the garden is kept fertile and the produce is 
nearly twice as great as when the whole lot is 
used. Of course, the wire fence between should 
not be neglected or the chickens will see to it that 
there is no garden. 

The vegetables which have a long season are best 
kept to themselves, such as carrots, parsnips, 
turnips, and salsify. 

A garden should run north and south to get the 
full benefit of the sun's rays. 



278 The Kitchen Garden 

Instead of pulling lettuce up by the head, it 
should be cut off above ground and it will then 
grow the second time. 

A splendid way to start young tomato plants is to 
scoop out turnip roots, leaving a thick shell to be 
filled with rich soil. When the seeds are ready 
for transplanting to outdoors the turnip itself 
should be planted. In this way the roots will not 
be disturbed and growth retarded and the shells 
make good fertilizer for the plants. 

If tomato plants are cut back in the fall, then are 
stored in sand over winter, being kept moist and 
cool but away from frost, they will produce fruit 
several weeks earlier than seedlings the following 
spring. 

The vegetable garden should have a southern or 
southeastern exposure and, if possible, an evergreen 
winterbreak on the north side. 

Fruit trees should be on the north side of the 
garden to prevent early blooming and thus pro- 
tect the buds from severe frost. 

A successful way to keep the neighbors' chickens 
away from your seed is to spread on the ground close 
strips of heavy paper weighted down with stones, 



The Kitchen Garden 279 

and having carpet tacks pushed through the paper 
with the heads on the ground. 

The same vegetables should never be planted in 
the same location two years in succession. 

Onions sowed in frames must be set out in open 
ground and in very rich soil. 

Grass clippings put on the roots of vines and 
plants which should be kept moist will give excel- 
lent results. 

An excellent way of raising cucumbers is to sink 
a barrel in the ground which has a row of holes 
bored near the top. Pile the soil up well on both 
sides, fill barrel halfway with fresh cow manure 
and remainder with water. Keep filled with water 
and occasionally stir it up from bottom. Plant 
seed of cucumbers on all four sides. Half a barrel 
will be really better than the whole barrel as it is 
easier to manipulate the earth. 

Peas and lettuce are among the vegetables which 
can be planted continuously throughout the season. 
For lettuce, change the location to a more shady 
place during the hottest weeks. 

In planting sweet potatoes early, make a hotbed, 
and instead of manure, pack wet leaves in the 



28o The Kitchen Garden 

bottom of bed and cover with a foot of sand. 
Plant seed potatoes in this, give a good sprinkling, 
and put on the glass sash. 

Irish potatoes should be put into the ground as 
early as possible. 

Cucumbers, squash, and melons should be kept 
widely separated from each other or the flavor 
of the melons will be tainted with the flavor of the 
other vegetables. 

An occasional application of nitrate of soda is 
a good tonic for cabbage. This should not be put 
on the cabbage roots but worked down the middle 
of the rows. 

Celery must have a bed to itself as it is planted 
in deep trenches and needs heavy manuring and 
much watering. 

Herbs should be planted within easy access of 
the house. 

TO GET RID OF PESTS 

When cutworms feast on the asparagus, plant 
lettuce between the plants. The worms will usu- 
ally not molest the asparagus as long as the lettuce 
holds out. This may seem like compromising 
with the worms but it saves the asparagus. 



The Kitchen Garden 281 

Be vigilant in watching for bugs and spray as 
soon as the leaves appear. Do not let the bugs 
get a start. 

If radishes are planted among melons, they will 
claim the attention of bugs until the melons get a 
good start. 

To get rid of the small white lice which eat the 
leaves of rose bushes, fuchsias, etc., make a foamy 
suds of soap cut into pieces and melted in tobacco 
water. Apply with a new, good-sized flat paint 
brush (from the ten-cent store). Cover the plant 
with a thick lather. One application is usually 
sufficient, though later on more bugs may appear 
and need attention. 

Earthworms can be destroyed by the use of to- 
bacco water. 

Bugs are oftentimes the cause of plants ailing 
from no apparent cause. Take half of an Irish 
potato, scoop out some of the pulp, and place it 
upside down on the earth's surface near the plant. 
Do not water the plant for several days and the 
bugs will come to the potato for their moisture. 
In this way bugs can be discovered and gotten rid 
of. 



282 The Kitchen Garden 

Grass and weeds may he killed in a spot hard to 
gain access to for digging by pouring on a solution 
of hot water in which washing soda has been dis- 
solved. 

A drop of sulphuric acid on daftdelions will rid 
the land of them. It should be dropped into the 
heart of the plant by means of a medicine dropper. 
One drop will cause the death of the roots of the 
plant, though some plants require a second ap- 
plication. When the acid takes effect the plant 
will not recur. 

NOVELTIES IN THE GARDEN 

Pole lima beans planted on the stumps of old 
trees or on dead bushes will yield a good crop and 
will be very ornamental. 

When gourds are young they can be tied at the 
neck into knots to form a ring for hanging them 
by. This will make a dipper gourd, which will be 
useful and also prove a novelty. 

A carrot cut in half and the center scooped out 
to make a basin will grow fernlike leaves in abun- 
dance, making a beautiful basket of the carrot. 
This is very interesting to watch. 



The Kitchen Garden 283 

Plant grapefruit seeds in jardinieres. The glossy 
leaves of the young plants make pretty foliage for 
a centerpiece. 

Mignonette makes a charming little house plant 
if seeds are sown in pots late in the summer. 

A very satisfactory way of holding potted plants 
along the porch rail, so that there is no danger of 
their falling off and the water cannot drip down on 
the porch when they are watered, is to cut heavy 
wire about the length of croquet arches and bend 
first like the letter **U''; next bend the two ends 
of the wire under the porch rail about three inches 
and bring up over the rail to form a loop project- 
ing out from the porch. Into the loop set the 
flower pot, where it will be held securely. The 
loops may be made larger or smaller for pots of 
different sizes. 

A novel and beautiful window garden may be 
formed with very little labor and only slight ex- 
pense. Procure two long trays of galvanized iron 
of about the width of the window shelf. Fill these 
trays with pebble and fine gravel such as is sold at 
a ten-cent store or at almost any florist's and place 
among the pebbles as many paper narcissus bulbs 
as can be crowded in. Then pour in water very 



284 The Kitchen Garden 

gradually and when both pebbles and gravel are 
well moistened, sprinkle timothy grass seed well 
over the top. In a few days the grass seed will 
germinate. To start the pan in a warm room, over 
a radiator and placed where it can get sunlight, 
will insure early blossoming. At the same time, 
start another pan in a north window that it may 
come along about the time the first pan has finished 
blooming. 

Study the reliable catalogues for novelties in 
the way of trelHses, netting, etc., for training 
plants. 

A box of parsley and another of mint for the kitchen 
porch will save steps and will perhaps be the cause 
of more frequent use of these two plants by being 
handy. They also serve the purpose of helping 
to make the back porch attractive. 

The unworn parts of oilcloth or linoleum can be 
utilized in making mats for pots containing plants 
and flowers. If they are enameled the water will 
not soak in. 

Solder should be kept on hand for repairing the 
sprinkling can, but in an emergency soap is a good 
makeshift. 



MISCELLANEOUS HINTS 

Piano keys will remain white if rubbed occasion- 
ally with a cloth dipped in alcohol, and then dried 
with another cloth. Care should be taken not to 
get alcohol on the wood as it will take off the 
varnish. 

Wood for hows {archery) and for fishing rods 
should be cut at the season of the year, December 
and January, when the sap is entirely out of the 
wood to insure the maximum of elasticity. 

Clear milky water with a piece of rock alum. A 
piece the size of a lima bean will purify one tub. 
The alum should first be dissolved in a pint of 
boiling water. 

Tap the little ball of a glove clasp lightly with a 
tack hammer and there will be no trouble in fasten- 
ing the glove. 

In answering advertisements, it saves time and 

energy to clip the advertisement out and paste on 

285 



286 Miscellaneous Hints 

the margin of the letterhead. If necessary, any- 
thing to be specialized can be underscored. 

Brooms will last longer if dipped in hot soapy 
water every few days. Wash day is an excellent 
period for doing this. The carpet, too, wears 
better if brooms are cared for in this way. 

Instead of throwing small pieces of soap away, 
put them into an empty talcum-powder box and 
cover with hot water. Sprinkle a little of this liquid 
in your dishwater and there will be a splendid 
lather. In this way scraps of soap can be utilized 
that would otherwise be wasted. 

If lye is kept air tight it will not cake from having 
been allowed to absorb moisture. 

A stout stick and a strong cord or rope will often 
take the place of a monkey-wrench. To tighten 
a pipe, put the stick through a loop in the rope and 
wind the loose ends tightly about the pipe three or 
four times in the direction opposite to that in 
which you want to turn the pipe. Then take the 
ends of the rope in one hand, pull them very tight, 
and with the other hand revolve the stick in the 
proper direction. If the rope is wound carefully 
and pulled tightly enough the pipe will turn quite 
easily. 



Miscellaneous Hints 287 

In sending packages by parcel post, tie two or 
three times with separate pieces of cord, disregard- 
ing the other pieces when tying each one. There 
will be little danger of the packages getting broken 
if this is done. 

If a box is provided with handles it will be ac- 
cepted by the railroad for checking on a ticket just 
the same as a trunk. 

If the Christmas tree is nailed to cross-pieces as 
usual and the tree then set into a small tub or 
jardiniere filled with sand and dirt which is kept 
moist the tree keeps fresh longer, the needles do 
not fall off so easily, and the tree is not so easily 
tipped over by the children. 

A large drygoods box placed in the basement will 
be very handy Z^?/' making into a closet when closets 
are scarce. 

When there is no linen closet and there is an 
extra bookcase it can be used as a linen closet, and 
if curtains are placed at the doors a passing 
observer will be none the wiser. 

One way 0} proving innocence in an automobile 
accident is to take a snapshot of the accident, show- 
ing on which side of the road the accident occurred, 
the location, etc. 



288 Miscellaneous Hints 

Phonograph needles with worn points can be 
used to advantage many times in the place of tacks. 

Rubber bands placed around bottles, one at the 
top and another at the bottom, will often save the 
bottle from breakage. The bands, of course, should 
be of a large size. 

Paraffin will stop the leak in a cistern or a vessel 
in which water is to be placed. The paraffin 
should be heated as hot as possible and applied to 
a clean and dry surface. 

The little wooden handle that comes on packages 
is better for rolling twine than to make a ball of it. 
Hang this handle on a hook near the kitchen door 
and it will be handy when putting away the twine, 
as well as when ready to use it. 

Tennis racket strings should be covered with 
vaseline before putting away for the winter. This 
will prevent the strings from snapping during the 
time the rackets are not in use. 

In writing letters on the typewriter, requiring a 
number of copies, if each sheet of carbon paper 
is put about an inch above the letterhead, or an 
inch or so below, time will be saved in removing 
the carbons, as one can take hold of all the carbons 
at once and pull them from the letterheads. 



Miscellaneous Hints 289 

Two safety pins will do good work in the ab- 
sence of corkscrews. 

A little talcum powder sprinkled on cards that 
are old and stick together will cause them to slide 
almost like new. They should have the powder 
poured on them and then be shufHed before using. 

To paint the lower cellar stair white will save 
many a mishap and rid one of that nervous fear 
when going downstairs at night. 

When in lack of a small funnel for filling bottles, 
a dried out eggshell with a hole broken in the end 
will serve just about as well. 

To prevent chairs from marking floors, cut pieces 
of leather from the tops of old shoes and glue to the 
posts. Also glue pieces of leather to the ends of 
rockers to prevent them from scratching other 
articles of furniture. 

A painted wall is often marred hy the hack of a 
chair striking against it. At the notion counter of 
any department store can be purchased rubber 
knobs with tacks in them to drive in the back of 
the chair and protect the wall from scratching. 

When the spring in the roller of a shade is weak and 
will not roll to the top, rewind it without taking 
19 



290 Miscellaneous Hints 

it down. First coax the shade up as far as pos- 
sible and then pass the lower end over the top of 
the roller from the front several times or until 
sufficiently tight. 

Ammonia is excellent for cleaning jewelry. 
Make a solution of one half ammonia and one 
half water. Polish with a chamois cloth. 

A piece of waxed paper placed under the center- 
piece on a polished table will prevent the linen 
from adhering to the table in hot weather, as well 
as prevent a stain from cold water or an overfilled 
vase or rose bowl. 

When stamps stick together, place them under a 
thin piece of paper and run a hot iron over the 
paper very lightly. 

A blotter pasted on a ruler will save annoying 
moments of searching for that article. 

A piece of old leather hung on hooks from which 
a swing or other moving article is hung will stop 
the squeaking. 

One or more brass headed tacks driven in the 
framework of a window which rattles will stop the an- 
noyance. The curved heads allow the windows to 
move over them easily and they are always in place. 



Miscellaneous Hints 291 

A clothes pin broken in half and wedged between 
the window and the sash will spare you that 
annoying rattling. 

Felt weather stripping tacked, or stuck on with 
mucilage, to a door or window that rattles will cause 
the cessation of that annoyance. 

For the boy who loses many cuff links, join 
two large pearl buttons by a heavy white seam- 
stress cord. They are neat, hold together bet- 
ter than metal buttons, and cost practically 
nothing. 

To make notes or alterations on blueprints, or 
autographs, or memos on snapshots, dip a pen in 
a solution of ordinary bicarbonate 0} soda, and you 
will be better satisfied than to use the ordinary 
white ink. 

Many preparations made for keeping the razor 
strop in good condition destroy the razor eventually. 
The lather left from shaving applied with a shaving 
brush to both sides of the strop, then rubbed in 
with the bare hands, rubbing until the strop will 
take no more, and the lather left to dry until it 
can be rubbed out in little rolls, will keep the strop 
in very satisfactory shape. Once a month is 
sufficient for this treatment and a strop properly 



292 Miscellaneous Hints 

cared for should obviate the necessity of having a 
razor ground and honed. 

If the blade of a razor is immersed in hot — not 
boiling — water before using the strop, it will take 
hold of the strop and will acquire a good edge 
after a few strokes. 

To remove from the finger a ring that is too small 
take a strong, coarse thread, wax one end, and force 
it between the ring and the finger, the end pointing 
toward the wrists. Wind the remainder of the 
thread tightly around the finger. Then take up 
the end that was forced under the ring and grad- 
ually unwind the thread, pulling out on it as you 
unwind. The ring will follow the thread down over 
the thick portion of the finger that has been bound 
in by the thread. 

Old newspapers should be saved for starting 
fires, sweeping up dust and dirt when there is not 
a dustpan, laying on the kitchen table to collect 
vegetable refuse, etc. Also to place in the bottom 
of the garbage pail to prevent refuse from sticking 
to the pail. 

To remove labels which are pasted on pillow slips 
and other articles, place a wet cloth on the wrong 
side and place a hot iron on it for a few seconds, or 






Miscellaneous Hints 293 

hold over the steam coming from the spout of the 
teakettle. 

If a fresh cork is rubbed with mutton tallow and 
placed in the glue hottle, the glue will remain usable 
a long time after having been opened. Vaseline 
will do if tallow is not obtainable. 

To keep flour paste from becoming sour, chop 
cloves up very fine and add to the paste. 

To open bottles of glue and library paste, immerse 
in hot water for a few moments. 

If the cork taken from a bottle of glue or other 
liquid liable to stick is rubbed with a little lard, 
it always comes out easily thereafter. 

To remove an obstinate corky dip a piece of 
woolen cloth into boiling water and wrap tightly 
about the neck of the bottle. In a few minutes 
the stopper can be removed. 

Collars often come home from the laundry so 
flat that it is difficult to get them into shape for 
the shirt. This difficulty can be overcome in a 
large measure by rolling the collar when it comes 
from the laundry and leaving it rolled for a 
while. 



294 Miscellaneous Hints 

Coarse salt will drive fleas away, but care should 
be taken not to get it around plants as it will 
destroy them. 

To wipe the screens with kerosene will keep out 
the little mosquitoes that work their way through 
the netting. To keep them vanquished, this 
should be done every day or two. 

Gum camphor laid among books on the shelves 
will keep the mice away, 

Cayenne pepper sprinkled around places where 
mice frequent will keep them away. 

When the refrigerator is kept in a cold entry and 
the door is left open for exposure in order to avoid 
an ice bill, it is well to fit a wire screen into the door 
to keep out mice. 

Pour a little turpentine in the corners of ward- 
robes, trunks, and chiffoniers and the moths will 
not molest the articles stored therein. 

If eyeglass lenses are rubbed with a little soap and 
then poHshed, there will be no moisture deposited 
on them when going from a cold to a warm at- 
mosphere. 

When a door sticks at the top, rub it over with a 
little yellow soap and the annoyance will cease. 



Miscellaneous Hints 295 

To clear smoky or sooty rain-water, beat the white 
of an egg in a quart cup; fill with water, stirring 
thoroughly. Pour this into a tub or boiler of 
smoky water. The water can soon be skimmed 
of its dirt. 

To break in a new pen point, dip it in ink and 
hold it in the flame of a lighted candle for a second 
and then wipe dry with a cloth. It will then hold 
the ink as well as a point which has been in use. 

When the end of a fountain pen sticks when trying 
to unscrew it, wind a rubber elastic several times 
tightly around the barrel of the pen portion and 
then unscrew the pen. The elastic sticks tightly 
to the slippery surface and gives the fingers a good 
grip. 

It is worth remembering that if the lid of a safety- 
match box is missing the matches can be lighted 
upon common glass. 

Broken glass should be thrown into a hot fire 
before throwing away in order to melt the edges, 
leaving no sharp points to do injury. 

Place rusty curtain hooks in a bowl and cover 
with cloudy ammonia. Leave for half an hour 
and then stir around with a stick. The hooks 



296 Miscellaneous Hints 

will look like new. If the points are difficult to 
put through a fabric, push them into a bar of 
soap and they will shp in quite easily. 

The following treatment wiU not only render 
lamp chimneys, tumblers, and other glass articles 
more durable, but may be applied with advantage 
to crockery, porcelain, and stoneware. Put the 
articles in a pot filled with cold water, to which 
some common table salt has been added. After 
the water has boiled it is allowed to cool slowly. 
When the articles are taken out and washed 
they wiU be found to resist any sudden change 
of temperature. The process is simply one of 
annealing and the slower the cooling part of 
it is conducted the more effective will be the 
work. 

The wire of a Tungsten electric globe can some- 
times be mended by turning on the current and 
tapping lightly on the side of the globe with the 
finger. This causes the broken wire to vibrate, 
and touching one of the other wires while vibrating, 
it becomes welded. 

A little silver spoon placed in a bowl or tumbler 
before pouring hot liquid in it will prevent that 
annoying cracking. The metal absorbs the heat 






Miscellaneous Hints 297 

to such an extent that it will tend to prevent the 
sudden heating of the glass or china. 

Glass and china dishes no longer need be thrown 
away when broken. There can be purchased at 
almost any department or drug store a liquid 
which does all its manufacturer claims in regard 
to holding broken pieces together. 

To mend china or glass, melt some powdered 
alum in an old spoon. Before it hardens rub this 
over the pieces to be united, press them together, 
and set them aside to dry. They will not come 
apart, even if washed with hot water. 

When mending broken china, stand it to ''set" 
in a large box of sawdust. It can be placed in any 
desired position and its own weight will hold the 
piece steady while the cement is hardening. 

A wrapping string and a match will enable a 
piece of glass to he cut any desired shape. Simply 
tie the string around the glass at the place where 
it is desired to cut it, set the string afire, and the 
heat will break the glass where it is marked. 

Adhesive plaster is excellent for mending rubber 
goods of all kinds, hot-water bags, garden hose, rain 
coats, gloves, hand bags, and to replace the worn 



298 Miscellaneous Hints 

heel linings of shoes. For mending corsets and 
holding protruding steels in place there is nothing 
better. It may also be used to stop up cracks and 
to exclude light and air in order to make fumigation 
more thorough. Apply it to the under side of a 
rug that curls or is torn, and see how nicely it 
remedies the trouble. It makes excellent labels 
for fruit and jelly glasses, as the back can be 
lettered with ink. It is also fine for fastening 
packages and parcels. 

Passe partout binding is a good medium for 
mending worn or torn sheet music or other paper. 
Crease it through the center, lengthwise; place the 
sheets, with back edges even upon it, about an 
eighth of an inch from crease, then paste to the 
music, so that when open the music will lay fiat. 
Curled or torn edges can be mended neatly by past- 
ing white paper even with the straight edges over 
both sides of torn places. Thus mended it keeps 
longer than when new. 

An excellent way to mend an umbrella from which 
the handle has come off is to fill the hole in the 
handle with powdered sulphur, heat the ferule and 
push it into the sulphur. In a few moments both 
handle and ferule will be firmly fastened together. 



Miscellaneous Hints 299 

A sponge placed in the bottom of a china or 
porcelain umbrella stand prevents many hard 
knocks often resulting in a crack. 

Do not close an umbrella when wet as this causes 
it to rot. Leave open until dry. 

Rub the ends of the ribs of an umbrella with 
vaseline to prevent rust from loosening and forc- 
ing the little wires out. 

A piece of webbing fastened to a combination skirt 
and coat hanger will enable one to keep clothing fresh 
while traveling. By means of the webbing, the 
hanger can be fastened to the curtains of a sleeping 
berth. 

Heavy manila envelopes labeled with the name 
of the articles placed therein serve well as packing 
cases for the traveler. 

A handy little case for traveling is made by sew- 
ing a piece of natural sheep's wool on a strip of 
cloth about 5 by 15 inches. An extra piece of 
cloth is tacked on to protect the case. This can 
be used for cleaning shoes with very good result. 

A wax candle for travelers will be found very 
useful for sealing letters and for sealing toilet and 
medicine bottles before packing. 



300 Miscellaneous Hints 

A good medium for ridding sewing machines 
and other machinery of lint and dust is a bicycle 
pump or an automobile pump. 

To get the best out of a sewing machine or a 
typewriter, it should be cleaned frequently. Kero- 
sene oil and absorbent cotton are admirable for 
the purpose, followed by a good lubricator. 

The life of linoleum on floors can be lengthened 
greatly by giving it a good coat of varnish occa- 
sionally. 

A few drops of oil of lavender sprinkled on book 
shelves will destroy the odor of mold which some- 
times rises in damp weather in spite of the best of 
care. 

To clean the carpet sweeper, use a small wire hair 
brush and comb the bits of troublesome string and 
hair out of the bristles. 

To renovate a dust mop put a large tablespoonf ul 
of concentrated lye in an old pail half full of boiling 
water and let the mop boil in it. After rinsing 
it several times the mop will be as good as new. 

Hot water, ammonia, and a little washing-powder 
will clean an oil mop very successfully after water 
and soap have failed. 



Miscellaneous Hints 301 

Old lisle or silk stockings make excellent dust 
cloths if several are padded together. 

A serviceable dust cloth is made from a yard of 
double-faced canton flannel. An extra piece of 
material should be sewed on as if to form a pocket. 
Next a hand should be outlined and stitched, 
leaving the wrist loose. This serves as a glove and 
protects the hand from much of the grime and dust. 

Cloths used for oiling furniture should be kept in 
the air. If closed up there is danger of spon- 
taneous combustion and also of the oil spreading to 
other things around it. 

A fire in a chimney may be stopped by closing 
all windows and doors, shutting off ventilation, 
and holding a wet blanket in front of the fireplace 
to prevent draft from going up the chimney. 

If ashes are dampened before removing from the 
furnace or fireplace, there will be little or no dust 
to rise. One good method is to make a depression 
in the center of the pile of ashes and pour water in- 
to this depression. The water will penetrate the 
whole pile. 

When children are to he around fireworks or candles 
on a Christmas tree, render their clothing non- 



302 Miscellaneous Hints 

inflammable by dipping it into a solution of 
ammonia phosphate. This is made by dissolving 
one pound of phosphate in one gallon of cold 
water. The garment should be soaked in this 
solution for five minutes, then taken out and al- 
lowed to dry, after which it may be worn with 
perfect safety. 

The nutcracker makes a splendid little household 
wrench for cans and bottles with screw tops. Even 
a stubborn glass stopper will yield to the gentle 
pressure of this little article. It also fits the larger 
nuts on the sewing machine, sausage grinder, and 
clothes wringer. 

To take ink stains out of paper: Two solutions 
are necessary. The first consists of a five per 
cent, solution of hypochlorate of sodium in dis- 
tilled water. The second consists of a three 
per cent, solution hydrochloric acid in distilled 
water. Apply a drop of the first to the stained 
spot and allow it to stand a minute and then blot 
it. Then apply a drop of the second solution and 
allow it to stand until the stain disappears. This 
process will remove any ink stains except those 
left by India ink. This will not leave a stain on 
the paper but it will remove any glaze from it. 



Miscellaneous Hints 303 

The wooden perches in a bird cage should never be 
washed for to do so is likely to give the birds 
rheumatism in their little feet. Instead, scrape 
the perches clean with a knife or fine sandpaper. 
If they should get damp, see that they are taken 
out and thoroughly dried in the heat of the strong 
sun or near a fire. 

When the Christmas tree has served its purpose 
as a decoration, plant it outdoors and place suet 
and crumbs upon it. The birds will enjoy their 
Christmas Tree quite as much as the humans have 
before them. 

Little food baskets for the birds made of ground- 
pine or other evergreens will tempt them when 
other methods have failed. 

Bird gravel in five-cent lots is excellent for putting 
in a bowl to hold up short stemmed flowers. If the 
bowl is of glass this filling will be very attractive, 

A bird will relish a bit of green food every few days. 
A pinch of rape, bird, or mustard seed sown in a 
flower pot will sprout in a day or two and soon 
grow into plants acceptable to birds. 



mm 
H 



INDEX 



Accident, from poison, 228; 
automobile, 287; on stairs, 
289 

Acid, oxalic, harmful to alumi- 
num, 57; oxalic, use for, 67; 
to remove stains, 187; car- 
bolic, as disinfectant, 221 

Adenoids, cause of, 149 

Advertisements, reading to in- 
valids, 219; in answering, 
285 

Air, for the baby, 150, 167; 
in the sick-room, 221 ; purify- 
ing, 221; shield for admit- 
ting, 222; in the kitchen, 231 

Alcohol, lamp, 91; harmful, 
217; rub, 227 

Alkali, to neutralize effect of, 
67; effect on skin, 248 

Almonds, to blanch, 121 

Alterations, to make on blue- 
prints, 291 

Aluminum, care of utensils, 
57, 80; purchase of utensils, 
79, 80, 129; cleaner for, 80 

Ankles, strengthening, 220; 
sprained, 220 

Antique furniture, cleaning, 74 

Ants, exterminating, 232, 233; 
trap, 233 

Appearance, Personal, particle 
on, 235-244 

Appetite, of children, 156 

Apples, apple corer and peeler, 
80; baked apples, 114, 115; 
apple sauce, 115; apple pie, 

• 115; beneficial, 217 



Apricot, seed for flavor, 121 

Aprons, pockets, 62; material 
for, 201; made from shirts, 
209; in making, 209 

Architectural Ideas, article on, 
i~7; hints, 8-23 

Art, training the taste of 
children, 165 

Articles Effecting a Saving in 
Labor, list of, 76-95 

Asbestos, mats for toasting 
bread, 127; utilizing worn 
mats, 130 

Ashes, ash dump, 13; for roses 
and violets, 271; when re- 
moving, 301 

Asparagus, preparing for cook- 
ing, 113; value to health, 
219; cutworms, 280 

Auburn hair, retaining the 
tint, 252 

Automatic washer, the work of, 
86 

Automobile, hammock for 
baby, 167; making baby com- 
fortable in, 167; removing 
stains from, 188; hat bag, 
194; proving innocence in 
accident, 287 

Awnings, providing, 15 

B 

Baby, Conveniences for the, 

165-169; when to waken, 147; 
hints about care of, 135-170; 
when he walks, 149; how to 
dress, 161; to clean shoes, 
196 



305 



3o6 



Index 



Back staircase, arrangement 

of, 22 
Bacon, broiler for, 78; select- 
ing, 108 
Bags, storing paper, 61, 81; 

mending rubber, 297 
Baking, potatoes, no, in; 

with compressed yeast, 123; 

baking powder biscuits, 122; 

apples, 114, 115; pastry, 118; 

glass dishes for, 84 
Balcony, door to, 16 
Bananas, when to eat, 158; 

ripening, 158 
Bands, skirt, to stretch, 206 
Baseboard molding, rounding 

for sweeping, 19; painting, 

^39 . 

Basins, height, 9; convenient, 
placing, 20; cleaning, 69; 
to hold steady when cook- 
ing, 132 

Basket, for paper-bag cookery, 
84; as bed for baby, 166 

Bassinet, combination bassi- 
net crib and pen, 167; com- 
bination bassinet high chair 
and go-cart, 167; made from 
clothes basket, 168 

Bath, mats of cork, 92; regular- 
ity for baby, 147; time elapsed 
after feeding, 147; making 
the bath a playtime, 148; 
warm bath at bedtime, 148; 
bathing with hands, 148; 
cold baths, 227; followed by 
alcohol rub, 227 

Bathroom, lights for, 15; lock, 
20; finish of walls, 20; drain- 
ing floor, 21; shower for, 86; 
unpleasant odors, 230 

Bathtub, placing, 20; cleaning, 
68, 69; of collapsible canvas, 
86 

Beans, cooking, in, 131; 
planting around old trees, 
282 

Bedrooms, conveniences for, 
14-15; lights for, 15 

Beds, balcony for sunning, 16; 
prevent scratching walls, 



39; spreads for, 42; utilizing 
old ones, 43; cleaning brass 
and enamel, 74; collapsible, 
88; disappearing, 88; warm- 
ing, 96; wrinkles in bed- 
clothing, 147; traveling bed 
for baby, 166, 168; bed sores, 
preventing, 218 
Beets, as a tonic, 219 
Begonias, cultivating, 271 
Belts, loose sewing-machine, 

204; in wash skirt, 205 
Berries,^ keeping fresh, 100; 
planting, 274; preserving 
wood berries, 276 
Beverages, various sugges- 
tions, 123-125; from cereals, 
157; tea and coffee drinking 
pernicious habits for chil- 
dren, 157; clearing water, 231 
Bibs, making, 162 
Biliousness, preventing, 218 
Bills, to save on storage, 18; 

to reduce coal, 12, 21 
Birds, cleaning cages, 303; 
food baskets, 303; Christ- 
mas tree with suet, 303; 
green food, 303; bird gravel 
for holding cut flowers, 303 
Biscuits, cutting shortening 
for, 130; making light and 
tender, 122 
Blackberries, planting, 274 
Black cloth, to take off shine, 

175 

Blankets, protecting, ']2\ wash- 
ing, 183, 184; remaking, 
202; sunning, 231 

Bleaching, muslin and linen, 
185, 186 

Blood stains, to remove from 
silk, 208 

Bloomers, ironing, 160; made 
of old raincoat, 160 

Blotter, having handy, 290 

Blouses, making, 202 

Blueprints, to make altera- 
tions on, 291 

Body, Care of, article on, 235- 
244; odors, 250 

Boiler, electric, 94 



Index 



307 



Boils, remedy for, 218 
Bonnet, fastening strings, 159 
Book, household expense, 89 
Bookcase, attractive and con- 
venient, built in, 15, 18; pre- 
venting mold, 300; drawers 
at bottom, 18 
Bookstand, near fireplace, 45 
Borders, for wall-paper, 35 ; of 

flowers, 275 

Bottles, washer for milk bottle, 

59; cover and cap lifter, 85; 

cleaning baby's, 152; saving 

from breakage, 288; funnel 

for filling, 289; to remove 

cork, 293 ; wrench for bottles, 

302 

Bowels, spinach, food for, 219 

Bowls, brown pottery, 129; 

prevent cracking, 296 

Bows, archery, when to cut, 285 

Box, opening for icebox, 10; 

screened for food, 10; wood, 

14; made from bedstead, 44; 

shirtwaist 44; window, 269; 

checking on ticket, 287; 

seats, on kitchen porch, 8, 17, 

230; in bedrooms, 14; for 

holding blankets, 15 

Bracket, for window shade, 88 

Braid, on skirt, 205; stitching, 

208 
Brass, cleaning, 65, 74; remov- 
ing tobacco stains, 65 
Bread, keeping fresh, 10 1; 
making, 122, 123; to freshen, 
123; cutting while fresh, 132; 
board for rolling, 1 1 ; saving 
crumbs, 102; mixer, 84; 
measuring for, 84; making 
French bread, 91 
Breathing, manner of, 217 
Broiler, bacon, 78; convenient, 
78; combined toaster, etc. 
94; electric, 94 
Brooms, closet for, 8; pre- 
serving, 286 
Broths, to remove fat, 225; 

for invalids, 225 
Brushes, cleaning hair brushes, 
250 



Bugs, killing waterbugs, 59; 

on melons, 281 ; spraying for, 

281; getting rid of, 281; 

to kill, on plants, 267; on 

bed, to kill, 233 
Building a House, article on, 

1-7; hints for, 8-23 
Burn, relief from, 218 
Bushes, hiding dead, 273 ' 

Butter, freshening, 98; keeping 

fresh, 98, 231 ; creaming with 

sugar, 119; cutting in cubes, 

133 

Buttermilk, for a disordered 
stomach, and muddy com- 
plexion, 225; to induce sleep, 
225 

Buttons and buttonholes, sew- 
ing on buttons, 159, 207; 
buttons that rust, 201; 
strengthening buttonholes, 
201; receptacle for buttons, 
207; sewing buttons on lace, 
207; rubber bands for but- 
tonholes, 208; restoring pearl 
buttons, 209 



Cabbage, destroying odor while 
cooking, 125; tonic for, 280 

Cabinet, medicine, 19; kitchen, 
76 

Cake, keeping fresh, loi, 116; 
burned cake, loi ; maker, 84; 
beating, 116; dearth of pans, 
116; in mixing, 117, 119; 
making light, 117; testing 
cakes, 129 

Calendar, garden, 271 

Candles, receptacle for, 168; 
to prevent fire from, 301 

Candied fruits, 122 

Candy, wholesome for chil- 
dren, 158 

Canned goods, preserving, loi; 
for pies and pastry, 120 

Cans, safety gasolene, 87; 
wrench for, 302 

Canvas, decks for porches, 
17; bathtub, 86 



3o8 



Index 



Cap lifters, for bottles, 85 
Carbolic acid, as disinfectant, 

221 
Cards, table, 44; powdering 

old cards, 289 
Care of Children, article on, 

135-146 
Care of Plants, hints on, 267- 

275 
Carriage, robe from old fur coat, 

161; baby, to propel, 149 
Carpets, reviving colors, 71; 

keeping moths away, 71; 

removing ink stains, 71; 

cleaning, 175; sweeper, clean 

ing, 300 
Casement windows, value of, 

Carrots, as a food, 219; planted 
with flowers, 274; have long 
season, 277; basin of, 282 

Carving, using high chair, 129; 
use of steel kmfe and fork, 
129 

Castor oil beans, where to 
plant, 274 

Castors, on kitchen table, 62 

Cathartics, when not to give, 

154 

Cattle, when poisoned by 

laurel, 229 
Cedar closet, value of, 18; 

trees, when to plant, 273 
Ceiling, effect of molding on, 

20 
Celery, how to tend, 280 
Cellar, The, hints for, 12-14; 

moisture in, 230 
Cereals, utilizing left-over, 

103; sticking to pots, 131; 

beverage for children, 157 
Chafing dish, electric, 95 
Chair, adding to height, 60 
Cheese, when grating, 102 
Cheesecloth, for curtains, 39 
Chemical doth for cleaning, 

Cherry furniture, cleaning, 72 
Chewing gum, to remove from 

clothing, 173 
Chickens, broken gall, 99; 



judging age, 104; tough, 104, 
105; trimmings, 104; roast- 
ing 104, 105; odor of, 125; 
to keep out of garden, 
278 

Children, Development of 
Mind, suggestions for, 163- 
165 

Children, Entertainment of, 
-suggestions for, 169-170 

Children, Their Care, article 
on, 135-146 

Chimney, on fire, 301 

China, to mend, 297; covers, 
79; closets, 8 

Chloride of lime, disinfect- 
ant, 230 

Chocolate, flavor for, 124; 
hardening icing, 118 

Chopper, convenient, 84 

Christmas tree, supporting, 
287; protection from fire, 
301 ; for the birds, 303 

Chum, to purchase, 79 

Chute, garbage, 1 1 ; linen, 23 

Cistern, stopping leak, 288 

Cleaning shoes, tan, russet, 
canvas, suede, baby's, 196; 
silk, woolens, etc., 1 81-186; 
utensils, 80 

Cleanser, toilet, 90; soap bark 
for spots, 176; in sending 
clothes to, 173; fluids, in- 
gredients for, 171 

Closets, kitchen, broom, pot, 
china, 8, 19; linen, 15; mir- 
ror in door, 15; equipment 
of, 15; hatbox installed, 15; 
cedar, to save storage bills, 
18; coat, 23; substitutes for, 
287 

Clothesline and pins, bag for 
pins, 178; convenient line, 
178 

Clothing, Hints, about, 159- 
163; 1 7 1-2 10; to disinfect, 
224; mending rubber goods, 
297; to keep fresh while 
traveling, 299; rendering in- 
flammable, 301; kind to 
wear, 217 



Index 



309 



Coal, bin, preventing dust 
from, 13; bill, to save on, 12, 
21; stove, cleaning, 60; pre- 
serving, 60 
Coat closet, light in, 23 
Cocoa, flavor of, 125; remov- 
ing spots, 187 

Cocoanuts, freshening, 121 

Coffee, pot, to hasten boiling, 
61; best results, 123; substi- 
tute for cream, 123; making, 
94, 124; tannin, 124; flavor 
of, 124; percolator, 94, 124; 
pernicious habit for chil- 
dren, 157; removing spots, 
187; grounds for pincushion, 
204; grounds for house 
plants, 268 

Colander, convenient, 81 

Cold, feet, 220; shield for 
window, 222; electric fan 
for heating, 222; frame for 
flowers, 272 

Colds, catching, 150; prevent- 
ing, 150, 227, 228; curing, 
226, 227 

Colic, relieving, 152 

Collars, out of shape, 293; to 
clean, 182, 188 

Collapsible, bathtub, 86; bed, 
for small room, 88 

Colored clothes, brown soap 
injurious, 178; washing, 182, 
199; stains, 189; effect of dye- 
ing soap, 1 99 ; topreserve color, 
200; to remove stains, 189 

Color scheme, in house, 39; 
use of bedspreads, 42; in 
flowers, 272 

Colors, Setting, 199-200 

Combination, aluminum three- 
piece set, 80, 129; broiler, 
toaster and boiler, 94; 
clothes for children, 163 

Combs, cleaning, 250 

Commandments, ten health, 
217 

Complexion, carrots good for, 
219; bleach, 246 

Compressed yeast, best re- 
sults, 123 



Compresses, hot, use of colan- 
der, 221; use of potato ricer, 
221 

Contagious diseases, disinfect- 
ing, 224 ; washing clothing,224 

Conveniences for the Baby, 
165-169 

Conveniences, Kitchen, 127- 

131 

Conveniences, Modem House- 
hold, 76-95; keeping to- 
gether, 130 

Convulsions, treatment for, 

153 

Cookbook, support for, 128 

Cooker, fireless, value of, 76; 
electric fireless, convenience 
of, 95; saving in gas, 126; 
heating disks in furnace, 127; 
to prevent rust, 133; steam, 
saving in labor, 77; saving 
in gas, 126, 127 

Cookery, paper bag, recep- 
tacle for, 84 

Cookies, in making, 118 

Cooking, Hints, Miscellaneous, 
98-134; kettle, fireless, con- 
venience of, 77; set, for 
traveling, 98 

Cooler, for refrigerator, 78; 
does not absorb odors, 78 

Copper, cleaning, brightening, 
65 ; removing tobacco stains, 

65 . . 

Corduroy, washmg, 174 
Cork, fitted in teakettle and 
coffeepot, 61; floor covering, 
preserving, 70; to prevent 
burn, 132; taking from 
bottle, 293; removing ob- 
stinate ones, 293; to pre- 
serve glue, 293 
Cork mat, substituted for old 

bath mat, 92 
Corkscrew, substitute for, 289 
Corn, sweetening when cook- 
ing, 113 
Corsets, to mend, 297-298 
Covers, china, ventilated, 79 
Cranberry juice, drink for 
invalid, 224 



310 



Index 



Cream, freshening, 99; whip- 
ping, 119; substitute for, 
119; to prevent dripping, 

133 

Crepe, cotton garments for 
baby, 161 

Crepon veils, renovating, 195 

Crib, combined with bassinet 
and play pen, 167 

Crochet, funnel for winding 
wool, 203; to protect hook, 
203 

Cross windows, advantage of, 
12, 19 

Croup, to cause vomiting, 154 

Cucumbers, in raising, 2 79-2 80 

Cuff links, making, 291 ; losing 
many, 291 

Cultivation, of plants, 267 

Cupboards, advantage of many, 
8,76 

Curling irons, injury to hair, 25 1 

Currant jelly, in drink for 
invalid, 224 

Curtains, Carpets, Draperies, 
hints on, 71-72; to hang 
evenly, 39; keeping fresh, 
39; made of cheesecloth, 39; 
made of old muslin, 40; 
to prevent soiling, 40; to 
protect lace, 40; cleaning, 
71; stretcher, made of wood, 
90; drying net, 172; mending 
lace, 195; to clean rusty 
hooks for, 295 

Cushions for porch, 41; keep- 
ing sanitary, 231 

Custard, to prevent curdling 
and burning, 117 

Cut Flowers, suggestions 
about, 275-277 

Cut glass, washing, 56 

Cutting the Gas Bill, hints on, 
125-127 

Cutworms, saving aspara^^us 
from, 280 

D 

Dahlias, advantages of plant- 
ing, 275 



Daisies, grouping with other 

flowers, 272 
Damper, value of, 22 
Dampness, quicklime absorbs, 

230; to prevent, in cellar, 14 
Dandelions, getting rid of, 282 
Dandruff, to rid thescalpof,252 
Darning, to lessen, 202 
Dates, as nourishment, 121; 

glaced, 122; for children, 159 
Deafness, in children, 149 
Decoration, Interior, article 

on, 24-35; suggestions for, 

35-45 

Desserts, Pastry, Nuts, and 
Fruits, suggestions for, 114- 
123 

Development of the Mind of 
Children, suggestions for, 
163-165 

Dining-room, view from, 11 ; 
low windows, 11; service 
wagon, 89; radiator for, 10 

Dirt, use of newspapers, 292 

Disappearing bed, convenience 
of, 88 

Disease, fear for baby, 149; 
from drinking cups, 150; 
sick-room suggestions, 211- 
229 

Dish drainer, wire, conveni- 
ence of, 57 

Dishes, convenience in wash- 
ing, 9; substitute for pan, 9; 
towels, from old scarfs, 42; 
avoiding drying, 56; substi- 
tute for soap, 56; wooden 
bowl for washing, 56; acces- 
sories for washing, 56; washer 
for bottles, 59; excellent 
dishwasher, 82; scraper for, 
83; glass baking, 84; placing 
on ice, 132; harmed by hot 
oven, 133; towels, washing, 
172 

Disinfectants, carbolic acid, 
221; burning vinegar, 221; 
sunshine best, 223; sal soda 
as, 223; extreme heat, 224; 
burning sulphur, 224; how 
to use, 224 



Index 



3" 



Disks, to heat, 127 
Disordered stomach, use of 

buttermilk, 225 
Doilies, from old linen scarfs, 

Doors, kind of hinge for swing- 
ing, 1 1 ; use of slats for ven- 
tilation, 15; leading to bal- 
cony, 16; light over entrance, 
18; sliding, value of, 21; 
double storm, way to hang, 
21; French, make room ap- 
pear larger, 22; when they 
stick at top, 294 

Double boiler steamer, value 
of, 80 

Doughnuts, kind of pot for 
frying, 118; to prevent ab- 
sorbing fat, 118 

Drainboard, kind to use, 9 

Drains, care of, 230 

Draperies, Curtains, etc., sug- 
gestions for, 35-38; light 
colored, give larger effect, 38 ; 
to hang, 39; effect, 39; keep- 
ing fresh, 39; material for, 
40; to protect, 40; to clean, 

71 

Draught, to prevent, 147 
Drawers, under roof, 14; at 

bottom of bookcase, 18; for 

children, 163 
Drawn work, in drawing 

threads for, 201 
Dresser scarfs, old linen for 

table covers, 41; embroi- 
dered in colors, 42 
Dresses, old night gowns for 

slip covers, 43; protecting 

from dust, 43; for baby, 161 ; 

to shrink dressgoods, 174; 

like aprons, 201; to mend, 

206 
Drink and Food for Invalids, 

224-226 
Drinking cup, diseases that 

spread by the use of, 150; 

substitute for straw for 

invalid, 226 
Drinks, nourishing warm drink 

for children, 159; boiled 



water, 224; safe for inva- 
lids, 224; pleasant for inva- 
lids, 224; broths, 225; 
buttermilk, 325; tube for 
invalid and children, 
226 
Drop light, how to adjust, 

45 

Ducks, to pluck, 103 ^ 

Dumbwaiter, convenience of, 
1 1 ; in connection with speak- 
ing tube, II 

Dust, to prevent coal, 13; 
cloths, where to keep, 19; 
removing by the use of vac- 
uum cleaner, 94; to remove 
spots from clothing, 190; 
cap for use, 253; use of news- 
papers, 292; bicycle pump 
to remove, 300; to renovate 
mop, 300; preventing dust 
from ashes, 301; serviceable 
cloth, 301 ; cloth made from 
stockings, 301; danger of 
combustion from oiled cloths, 
301 

E 

Ears, should lie flat in baby- 
hood, 150; when foreign 
object gets in, 154 

Earthworms, to destroy, 281 

Easel, curtain stretcher to fit 
any size, 90 

Efficiency, in house building, 
I ; in housekeeping, i 

Eggs, utensils for cooking, 79, 
82; to prevent cracking 
when boiling, 108, 109; 
coddled eggs most healthful, 
109, 225; to determine fresh- 
ness, 109; to preserve, 109, 
231; how to boil, 109; in 
beating whites, 121; beater, 
various uses for, 130; oiling 
egg beater, 134; food for 
children, 157; coloring Easter 
eggs, 169; for ^ invalids, 
224 



312 



Index 



Electrical Household Appli- 
ances, list of, 92-96; lights, 
location of, 15; plugs put in 
when building, 17; over 
entrance door, 18; conveni- 
ence of three-way switches, 
18; fixtures of oxidized metal 
easy to clean, 18; shades, 
home made ground glass, 
43; support for frame for 
shade, 45 ; metal shade easily 
adjusted, 91; tubular flash 
light for traveling, 93 ; tungs- 
ten lamp for economy, 93; 
portable lamp, 93; coffee 
percolator, value of, 94; 
toaster, kind to select, 94; 
chafing dish, 95; fireless 
cooker, 95; hot plate, 95; 
fans for sick-room, 222 ; mend- 
ing tungsten light, 296 

Elephant ear, where to plant, 
274 ^ 

Embroidery, to clean, 174; 
to protect finger, 200; when 
drawing designs for, 203 

Enameled surfaces, cleaning, 
67, 74; neutralizing effect of 
alkali, 67 

Entertainment for Children, 
suggestions for, 169-170 

Entrance door, Hght over, 18; 
substitute for storm, 21 

Exercise, need for baby, 149 

Expensebook, household, con- 
venience of, 89; need for, 217 

Extractor, seed and meat juice, 
82 

Eyeglasses, to prevent mois- 
ture on lenses, 294 

Eyes, Children's, care of, 
155-156; use of boracic acid 
solution, 249 



Fainting, treatment for, 222 
Fans, electrical, in sick-room, 

222; holder for, 43 
Fat, destroying odor, 103; 

substitute for, 131; render- 



ing from meats, 131; to re- 
move from broth, 225 

Feathers, to curl ostrich, 89; 
cleaning, 174 

Feet, when cold, 220; avoid 
tickling when bathing, 220; 
tired and perspiring, 220; 
of baby, to keep warm, 162 

Felt weather stripping, use of, 
21 

Fence, improving appearance, 
274 

Ferns, keeping moistened, 268; 
reviving, 277 

Fertilizer, ammonia for plants, 
267; beef as tonic for plants, 
267; obtained from bogs, 
269; for house plants, 270; 
alternating garden with 
plants and chickens, 277 

Fever, when the baby has, 152; 
when bathing patient, 223 

Figs, nourishing in bread, 121; 
for children, 159 

Filterer for water, 231 

Fingers, to protect in sewing, 
200; cold cream applied to 
nails, 246; cure for chapped 
hands, 247; keeping in good 
condition, 247; removing 
stain, 247, 248; removing 
tar from, 248; to remove dirt 
from nails, 249; to remove 
warts, 249; to remove a 
ring, 292 

Fire, in chimney, 301 ; to|render 
clothing non-inflammable, 
301, 302 

Fire shovels, for lifting hot 
pans, 128 

Fireless cooker, value of, 76; 
small kettle, convenience of, 
77; electric easy work, 95; 
saving gas, 126; heating 
disks, 127; to prevent rust, 

133 

Fireplace, advantage of dam- 
per, 22; arrangement of, 45; 
woodbox for, 14 

Fireworks, preventing accident, 
301 



Index 



313 



Pish, preparing salt fish, 99; 
to determine freshness, 105; 
to keep from breaking when 
frying, 105; cleaning, 105; 
flavoring salmon, 105; choos- 
ing lobsters, 106 
Fishbone, to dislodge, 218 
Fishing rods, when to cut, 

Fixtures, electrical, advan- 
tage of oxidized metal, 18 

Flannels, cleaning with ben- 
zine, 182; before washing, 
182; kind of soap, 183; how 
to wash, 183; substitute for 
soap, 183; drying, 183 

Flashlight, substitute for lamp, 

93 

Flatiron, slight cost of electric, 
92; forming cooking set, 95 
Fleas, to drive away, 294 
Flemish oak, how to care for, 

73 

Flies, removing specks, 66, 67; 
to keep out, 231; to drive 
away, 221, 232; avoid breed- 
ing, 232 ; to kill, 232 

Floors, draining cellar, 14; ad- 
vantage of cement for porch, 
16; canvas for covering, 17; 
to drain kitchen, 21; har- 
mony of baseboard, 39; 
oil for waterproofing, 69; 
polish, 69; to clean linoleum, 
69; easy cleaning, 70; clean- 
ing shellacked floors, 70; 
to remove paint, 70; to pre- 
serve life of covering, 70, 
300; to prevent marking 
289 

Flour, getting out lumps, 123; 
absorbs odors, 125; keeping 
browned flour on hand, 133 ; 
paste, to keep from turning 
sour, 293 

Flowers, Care of, hints on, 
267-275; teaching to culti- 
vate, 164; holder for, 283, 
303; transplanting, 272; giv- 
ing succession of blooms, 274; 
when to pick, 277 



Flowers, Cut, reviving, 275, 

277; keeping fresh, 276; 

convenient way to hold, 303 
Fluting iron, how to use, 92 
Folding basket, bed for baby, 

166; bed, for convenience, 

88 
Food, hints on, 98-134; time 

for bath after eating, 147; 

kind to eat, 217; lodged in 

throat, 223; chopper, ad- 
vantage of, 84 
Food for Children, suggestions 

for, 156-159; to take liquid 

food, 170 
Food for Invalids, hints on, 

224-226 
Foods, Utilizing Left-over, 98- 

103 
Foreign objects, up the nose, 

154; when swallowed, 154; 

in the ear, 154 
Fowl, Meat, and Fish, ideas 

on, 103-108 
Freckles, to remove, 247 
French bread, pan for baking, 

French doors, give larger effect, 
22 

Fruit, hints on, 111-116; to 
press, convenient, 81; seeder, 
convenience of, 81, 82; 
strainer, how to make, 82; 
to preserve cake, 116; cake, 
to make light, 117; to flavor, 
117; prevent mold, 120; 
recipe for glace, 122; advis- 
able for children, 159; stains 
to remove, 186, 187; trees, 
where to plant, 278 

Frying, electrical pan for, 94; 
combination pan, stove, and 
pot, 95; potatoes, no; egg- 
plant, 112; onions, 112; 
doughnuts, 118; substitute 
for fat, 131 

Fudge, to make smooth and 
creamy, 119 

Fumed oak, how to care for, 73 

Funnel, for use when crochet- 
ing, 203; substitute for, 289 



314 



Index 



Furnace, how to save coal, 12; 
covering with asbestos, 12; 
installation of thermostat, 13 

Furnittire, idea for porch, 17; 
covers for, 42; suggestions 
for cleaning, 72-75; polish, 
72; removing stains from 
mahogany, 72 ; preserving, 
73; enamel, 74; caring for 
antique, 74; willow and wick- 
er, 75; danger of cloths for 
oiling, 301 

Furs, to clean, 198; preventa- 
tive of moths, 198, 199 



Gall, when broken in chicken, 

99 

Galvanized pipes, danger of, 20 

Garbage, chute, 11; to dispose 
of, 61; to hide pail, 230 

Garden, The, article on, 260- 
266; hints about, 267-284; 
to mend hose, 297; location 
of, 277, 278, 279 

Gargles, for sore throat, 227 

Garment hangers, for attach- 
ing to closet door, 90 

Gas Bills, Reducing, manner 
of, Sjy 125-127; incinerator, 
for dispOvSing of garbage, 87; 
how to light, 126 

Gases, unhealthy, 224 

Gasolene, oven, to clean off 
rust, 59; will remove rust, 
66; safe can for, 87; use of 
asbestos mat, 87; after clean- 
ing with, 173; soap for clean- 
ing, 172; to remove odor, 173 

Geese, to pluck easily, 103 

General Health of Children, 
hints on, 146-154 

Geography, teaching children, 

163 

Geraniums, tonic for, 267 
Gilt, to clean fiy-specks, 67 
Ginger snaps, avoiding waste 

when cooking, 118 
Glaced fruits and nuts, recipe 

for, 122 



Glass, shelves of cabinet of, 19; 
shades of ground glass for 
electric light, 43; washing 
cut, 56; removing paint, 66, 
68; baking dishes, 84; roach- 
trap, value of , 91 ; before dis- 
posing of, 295; to prevent 
breaking, 296; to anneal, 
296; to mend, 297, 298; to 
cut, 297 

Gloves, Hats, Laces, etc., 
suggestions for, 191-195 

Gloves, to clean, 191-192; 
to enlarge, 192; use for old, 
202; to fasten, 285; to mend, 
297 

Glue, for children to use, 170; 
to open bottles, 293 ; preserv- 
ing, 293 

Go-Basket, convenience of , 166 

Go-Cart, combined with high- 
chair and bassinet, 167 

Goldfish, to eat mosquito 
larvae, 274 

Gourds, novelties of, 282 

Grapefruit, for centerpiece, 
283 

Grapevines, where to plant, 

Grass, clippings to retain mois- 
ture, 279; to kill, 284; in 
window box, 284 

Gravy, to flavor, 108; browned 
flour for making, 133; to 
brown, 134 

Gray hair, how to shampoo, 
253; to retain whiteness, 

253 

Grease, to remove stams on 
silk, 188; to remove from 
coat collars, 188; machine, 
188; automobile, 188 

Green vegetables, to make ten- 
der, 114 

Grinder, for knives, 83 

Ground-glass shades, how to 
make, 43 

Gum arable, use for, 218 

Gums, how to clean baby's, 
155; to remove from cloth- 
ing, 173 



Index 



315 



Gymnasium Suit for House- 
work, article on, 53-55 

H 



Habits, when to form, 151; 
forming mental, 163 

Hair, Care of, hints on, 250- 
254; brushes, cleaning, 250; 
promoting growth, 250; to 
prevent falling, 251; curling 
irons injurious, 251; treat- 
ment for, 251; oily, 251; 
retain auburn tint, 252; 
to rinse, 252; recipe for 
shampoo, 252; to get rid of 
dandruff, 252; to make soft 
and glossy, 253; gray, to 
retain whiteness, 253; to 
protect from dust, 253; 
should be ventilated, 253; 
tonics, 253 ; to shampoo light 
hair, 254; to shampoo dark 
hair, 254; soggy hair, 254; 
invigorator, 254 

Ham, in cooking with cabbage, 

125 

Hammock, for use of baby in 
automobile, 167 

Hands, to protect against 
steam and heat, 62; to re- 
move grease from, 181; 
chapped hands, 247; soften- 
ing and whitening, 247, 248, 
249; to remove stain, 247, 
248; washing, 248; perspir- 
ing, 248; removing tar, 248; 
protecting when garden- 
ing, 249; removing warts, 
249 

Hanger, clothes, for attaching 
to door, 90 

Hard-coal stove, to clean, 60 

Hardsauce, use of potato 
masher, 119 

Hardwood, to remove paint 
from, 70 

Hatbox, built into closet, 15 

Hats, renovating straw, 193; 
white felt, cleaned, 193; 



whitening panama, 193, 194; 
brush for velvet, 194; bag 
for traveling in automobile, 
194 

Health Commandments, 217 

Health of Children, hints on, 
146-154 

Heat, to regulate, 13; protect- 
ing hand, 62; preventing 
boiling, 132; preventing a 
bum, 132; to avoid cracking 
in pouring hot liquid, 296 

Heater, immersion, conveni- 
ence of, 96; instantaneous, 
desirability, 13 

Hemming, 39 ; to protect finger 
when, 200 

Hemorrhoids, a cause for, 218 

Hemstitching, in drawing 
threads for, 201 

Herbs, where to plant, 280 

Hiccoughs, curing, 218 

High chair combined with 
bassinet and go-cart, 167 

Hints, Miscellaneous House- 
hold, 285-303 

Hints, Sanitary, 230-234 

Home, Making a, article on, 

24-35 
Hooks and eyes, when sewing 

on, 206 
Hose, to avoid long garden, 

23 

Hot, water-pipes, covered with 
asbestos, 12; water heater, 
instantaneous, invaluable, 
13; water platter, inexpen- 
sive and satisfactory, 78; 
plate, for cooking purposes, 
95; water bottle, electric, 
convenience of, 96; pad, 
electric, safe and sanitary, 
96; pans, shovel for lifting, 
128; use of asbestos mats, 
130; dishes, to prevent burns 
from, 131; cloths, use of 
colander, 221; use of potato 
ricer, 221 

Household, Conveniences, list 
of, 76-95; 127-13 1 ; expense 
book, 89 



3i6 



Index 



House plants, to revive, 268; 
when watering, 269; pre- 
venting insects, 269; ferti- 
lizer for, 270 

House, When Building, article 
on, 1-7; hints, 8-23 

Housework, Systematic, art- 
icle on, 46-53; hints on, 
56-75; efficiency in, i; to 
protect hair in dusting, 253 

Hyacinths, grouping with other 
flowers, 272; to make bloom, 

Hystencs, treatment for, 222 



Icebox, outside door for, 10; 
to prevent odors rising, 231; 
placing of food, 231 

Ice cream, to freeze quickly, 
123 

Icing, hardening, 118 

Ideas in Architecture, article 
on, 1-23 ; hints on, 8-23 ; 

Immersion, heater, conveni- 
ence of, 96 

Improving the Mind, sug- 
gestions for, 163-165; 

Incinerator, gas, for disposing 
of garbage, S'j 

Indelible ink, to remove stain 
of, 191 

Inducing appetite of children, 
156 

Ink stain, to remove from 
carpet, 71; to remove from 
mahogany, 72; Chinese plan 
of removing from clothing, 
190; to remove from wash- 
able fabric, 190, 191; to 
remove from white linen, 
191; to remove from paper, 
302 

Instantaneous hot- water heater, 
value of, 13 

Interior Decoration, article on, 
24-35; suggestions for, 35-45 

In the Kitchen, hints, 56-62 

In the Sick-room, article, 211- 
229; keep baby away, 149 



Invalids, Attention to, article 
on, 211-229; hints for, 217; 
reading to, 219; drinks for, 
224, 225, 226 

Invigorator, hair, ingredients 
for, 254 

Iron, bars at windows, 14; 
pipes, danger from galvan- 
ized, 20; to free from rust, 
59, 64; cleaning, vessels and 
stoves, 64; beds, how to 
clean, 74; holder to prevent 
bum, 131; mold stains, to 
remove, 188; vegetables con- 
taining, 219 

Ironing, use of mangle in,^87; 
use of electricity, 92; fluting 
iron, 92; saving time, 179; 
preparation for, 179; sleeves, 
179; curtains, 179; to pre- 
vent scorch, 180; lessening 
task, 180; insuring glossi- 
ness, 180; prevent starch 
from sticking, 180; substi- 
tute for, 180; board, place 
for, 180; padding board, 
181; linen, 186 



Jam, softening, loi 

Jelly, to make strainer, 82; 
in filling jars, use gravy 
boat, 130; in drink for in- 
valid, 224 

Jewelry, to clean, 290 

Juice, of cranberries in drink, 
224 

Jumpers, easily made and 
ironed, 160 

K 

Kettle, cooking, fireless, con- 
venience of, 77; cork on 
cover to prevent burns, 132 

Kidneys, vegetable beneficial 
to, 219 

Kid pumps, to mend scratch, 

ELI96 



Index 



317 



Kimona, utilizing old waist, 
201 

Kissing the baby, 149 

Kitchen, Architectural Ideas 
for, 8 

Kitchen, Conveniences, list of, 
127-13 1 ; tiling easy to 
clean, 20; floor slanted, 21; 
pair of shears, 60; adding to 
height of chair, 60 

Kitchen Garden, article on, 
260-266; hints for, 267-284 

Elitchen, Systematic Work in, 
article on, 46-50; hints on, 
56-62; sink, correct height, 
9; outlet closed, 9; drain- 
boards for, 9; slanting, 10; 
for dish washing, 56 ; utensils 
to clean, 56, 57; paper towel- 
ing handy, 58; to clean, 59; 
precaution against water- 
bugs, 59; apron, pockets on. 
62; table, castors on, 62; 
accounts book, 62; office, 
convenience of, 62 

Kneecaps, made from old 
gloves, 202 

Knife, for peeling apple and 
removing core, 81; grinder, 
an economy, 83; for curling 
ostrich feathers, 89; for 
carving, 129; should not be 
heated, 132; hot knife will 
cut fresh bread, 132 



Labels, to remove from cloth, 
292 

Labor, Articles Effecting a 
Saving in, list of, 76-95; 126 

Laces, cleaning, 177, 195; 
yokes, 195; curtains, 195; 
when sewing buttons on, 207 

Lamb chops, saving trimmings, 
106 

Lamp, alcohol, convenience of, 
91; portable electric, 93; 
low-power electric, 93; sub- 
stitute for, 93; mending 
tungsten globe, 296 



Laundry, height of tubs, 9; 
pulley line installed, 12; num- 
ber of tubs, 12; value of 
cross windows, 12; wooden 
platform under tubs, 14; bag, 
utilizing old shirts, 42; cov- 
ering for tubs, 61; washing 
clothes, 176, 177, 178; clothes 
line and pins, 178; to clean 
wringer roller, 181 

Laurel, antidote for, 229 

Lavatory, in basement, 13 

Laxative, simple and safe for 
children, 152; when foreign 
object is swallowed, 154; 
when cathartic should be 
given, 154 

Layette, inexpensive, 61 

Lemons, to preserve, 10 1; to 
extract juice, 115; effect of 
acid, 218 

Letters, removing carbons from 
typewritten, 228 

Lettuce, to separate leaves, 
113; in drying, 113; value 
of, 219; growing, 278; long 
season, 279 

Lice, on rose bushes, 281 

Lighting gas, economical way 
of, 126 

Lights, in planning location, 
15; electric plugs for iron, 
toaster, etc., 17; fixtures for, 
18; over entrance door, 18; 
in coat closet, value of, 23; 
silk shade for electric, 45; 
adjusting drop, 45; aetal 
shade for attaching, 92; tubu- 
lar flashlight for conveni- 
ence, 93; portable electric, 
93; low-power tungsten, 93; 
dim candle, 223 

Lilies of the valley, how to 
plant, 268; where they thrive 
best, 273; water, grown at 
home, 274 

Lima beans, where to plant, 
282 

Lime, chloride of, for sanita- 
tion, 230; quick, as disin- 
fectant, 230 



3i8 



Index 



Linen, closet utilized to 
brooms, 19; chute for, 23; 
sheets, how to care for, ']2\ 
marking with indelible ink, 
185; to bleach, 185, 186; 
in ironing, 186; to remove 
fruit stains, 187; to remove 
tea, cocoa, and coffee stains, 
187; to remove ink stains, 
191 ; to pull threads in linen, 
209; to prevent adhering to 
table, 290 

Lingerie, when washing, 172; 
in removing ribbon, 210 

Linoleum, value of, 61; to 
clean, 69; utilizing old pieces, 
284; lengthening life, 300 

Liver, vegetables beneficial for, 
219 

Living-room, location of, 19 

Loam, from bogs, 269 

Lobsters, determining fresh- 
ness, 106 

Location, of living-rooms, 19; 
of porch, 16 

Lotion for soggy hair, 254 

Lye to preserve, 286 

M 

Machine, sewing, to clean, 65, 
300; washing, convenience 
of, 86; motor for, 96; remov- 
ing grease, 188; to tighten 
belt, 204; sharpening needle, 
207 

Mahogany, removing ink 
stains, 72; cleaning furni- 
ture, ^2, 74 

Making a Home, article on, 

24-35 . 

Mangle, inexpensive and con- 
venient, 87 

Marble, Cleaning, hints on, 
66-69 

Marks, match, removing, 66; 
white, on wood surface, 66 

Matches, marks from, 66; 
to strike, 295 

Mats, cork for bath, 92; to 
protect dining-room table, 



130; laundering, 172; for 

flower pots, 284 
Matting, in putting down, 44 
Mattresses, sanitary care of, 

231 
Mayonnaise mixer, combined 

with churn and ^^^ beater, 

79 

Meat, juice extractor, 82; 
utilizing odd pieces, 98; 
to keep fresh, 99; to retain 
juices, 106; to clean, 106; 
sticking to gridiron, 106; 
in boiling, 106, 107; flavor- 
ing, seasoning, roasting, and 
making tender, 107; frying, 
roast ng, broiling, making 
gravy, selecting, 108; caring 
for knife, 132; when to feed 
to children, 157; kinds for 
children, 157; when serving 
raw to children and invalids, 
226 

Medicine, cabinet for, 19; in 
giving to children, 153; pat- 
ent, 217 

Melons, becoming tainted from 
other vegetables, 280; how 
to plant, 280; to rid of bugs, 
281 

Mending, to note tears, 204; 
material to use, 209 

Men's clothing, to clean, 175; 
to remove shine from, 175 

Metals, Clegming, hints on, 
63-66 

Metal weather stripping, ef- 
fects saving in coal bill, 21 

Mice, to drive away, 294 

Mignonette, in pots, 283 

Milk, bottles, washer for, 59; 
to pasteurize, 85; cap and 
cover lifter, 85; injured by 
salt and bicarbonate of 
soda, 99; to keep fresh, 
99, 231; feeding to child- 
ren, 157; to keep clean, 233; 
in child's second year, 157 

Mind, Development of Chil- 
dren's, suggestions for, 163- 
165 



Index 



319 



Mind, Improving the, sugges- 
tions for, 163-165 

Mint, as a winter plant, 271; 
box for kitchen porch, 
284 

Mirror, in door, 15; to clean, 
62, 63 

Miscellaneous Hints on: Archi- 
tecture, 17-23; House Build- 
ing, 8-23; Interior Decorat- 
ing,35-45; Cooking, 131-134; 
Children, 146-170; Clothing, 
1 7 1-2 10; Sick-room, 2 1 7-229; 
Sanitation, 230-234; Per- 
sonal Appearance, 244-254; 
Gardening, 267-284; The 
Household, 285-303 

Mission furniture, to retain 
original appearance, 73 

Modem Conveniences, list of, 

76-95 

Moisture, absorption of, 230; 
to retain, 267, 268, 270 

Mold, to remove stains from 
iron, 188; salt of lemons for, 
191; in book shelves, 300 

Molding, baseboard, easily 
cleaned, 19; picture, effect 
near ceiling, 20; board, cov- 
vering for, 83 

Monkey wrench, substitute 
for, 286 

Mops, to renovate dust, 300; 
to clean oil, 300 

Mosquitoes, to prevent enter- 
ing house, 231, 294; to pre- 
vent breeding, 232; to de- 
stroy larvae, 274 

Moths, preventative of, 23, 
198, 199, 294 

Motor, sewing machine, value 
of, 6 

Mouth, wash, 244, 245, 249, 
250; odor in, 250 

Mud, to remove stains, 189, 
190 

Mushrooms, testing quality, 
114 

Music, to lend sheet, 298 

Mutton, determining fresh- 
ness, 106 



N 

Nails, to put in plaster walls, 

22 ; care of finger, 246 
Napkins, material for, 42 ; rings 

for, 43 
Narcissus bulbs, for window 

box 28 
Needle, to sharpen point, 207 
Nerves, care with regard to, 

151; to rest the, 219; food 

for, 219 
Neuralgia, to soothe, 220 
Newspapers, use for, 292 
Nickel, easy to care for, 20; 

removing rust, 66 
Night dresses, utilizing old, 

43 ; to keep baby's feet warm, 

162 
Nipples, to clean, 83, 152 
Nose, when foreign object gets 

in, 154; cleansing solution, 

249 
Novelties in the Garden, sug- 
gestions for, 282-284 
Nutcracker, as substitute for 

wrench, 302 
Nuts, filling for apples, 115; 

nourishing in bread, 121; 

glaced, 122 



Oak furniture, to clean, 72, 73 
Odors, hints for destroying, 
125; to rid bathroom of, 
230; of paint 231; to clear 
water of, 231; kill burning, 
231; in refrigerator, 231; 
in icebox, 231 ; in mouth, 245, 
250; of perspiration, 250; 
of onions, 250 
Office, kitchen, convenient, 62 
Oil cloth, to facilitate labor, 
60; to clean, 69; using odd 
pieces, 284 
Oiled cloths, danger of fire, 

301 
Oil, stove, to save work, 60; 
in hair, to remove, 251 ; mop, 
to clean, 300 



320 



Index 



Olive oil, to keep fresh, 102; 
rendering pleasant to taste, 
223 

Omelette pan, handy, 79 

Onions, destroying strong taste, 
III; to fry tender, 112; to 
destroy odor, 125, 247, 250; 
in planting, 279 

Oranges, to peel easily, 116; 
to serve, 116 

Organization in Housework, 
article on, 46-55 

Ostrich feathers, to curl, 89 

Oven, to clean steel, 59; to 
remove rust, 59; handy, yj 

Overshoes, receptacle for, 18 

Overalls to save wear of chil- 
dren's clothes, 162 

Oxalic acid, harmful to alu- 
minum, 57; use of, 67 



Packages, parcel post, 287 

Pad, ventilated for table, 89 

Paint, to remove from glass, 
66, 68; to clean white, 67; 
enamel, 67; to neutralize 
alkali, 67; to remove from 
hardwood floors, 70; to re- 
move stains, 187; to destroy 
odor, 231 

Pans, to clean, 56; for French 
bread, 91 

Pansies, to insure long season, 
268; grouping with other 
flowers, 272 

Pantry, sink, avoiding neces- 
sity of, 9; screened box in 
window, 10 

Paper, toweling, 58; tissue, for 
kitchen use, 58 ; bags, pocket 
for storing, 61; bag cookery, 
84; for use on face, 245; nar- 
cissus bulbs, for window 
box, 283; to mend, 298; to 
take out ink stains, 302 

Paraffin oil, for use on floors, 
69 

Parcel post, how to send, 
287 



Parsley, to freshen and chip, 

113; for winter use, 271; on 

kichen porch, 284 

Parsnips, segregation, 277 

Paste, to keep flour paste 

fresh, 293; to open library, 

293 
Pasteurizer, for use in home, 85 
Pastry, Desserts, Nuts, and 
Fruits, suggestions for, 114- 
123; spoons for mixing, 84; 
oven for, 118; canned goods 
for, 120; substitute for board, 
129 
Patching, material for, 209 
Peaches, stoner for, 81; syrup 
from peelings, 120; sauce 
from peelings, 120; kernels 
of stones for candy, 121; to 
remove stain of, 187 
Peanut butter, for flavoring 

cookies and cake, 122 
Pears, syrup from peelings, 120 
Peas, flavoring, iii; to avoid 
shelling, 1 1 1 ; for continuous 
planting, 279 
Peeling, fruit, syrup from, 120 
Pens, for the baby, 165; play 
pen combined with crib and 
bassinet, 167; when fountain 
pen sticks, 295; to break in 
point, 295 
Peppers, stuffed for baking, 

113 
Percolator, electric, coffee, 94 
Personal Appearance, hints on, 

235-244 
Perspiration, to remove stains, 

190; to dry, in clothes, 233; 

to destroy odor, 250 
Pests, To Rid the Garden of, 

suggestions for, 280-282 
Pests, To Rid the House of, 

suggestions for, 231-233 
Petunia, advisability of plant- 
ing, 272 
Phonograph, using old needles, 

288 
Photographs of the baby, 166 
Piano, to keep white, 285 
Pickles, use of stone jar for, 131 



Index 



321 



Picture, molding, effect near 
ceiling, 20; frames, to take 
fly specks from, 66; for 
children to cut out, 169 

Pies, use of canned goods, 120 

Pillows, rain proof, 41; filling 
for, 41; covering for, 41; 
made of old blankets, 41; 
sanitary care, 231 

Pin cushions, filling for, 204; 
in convenient position, 210 

Pine 'trees, where to plant, 273 

Pipes, covering to save heat, 
12; of galvanized iron dan- 
gerous, 20 

Pitch, to remove, 189 

Placket, to keep fastened, 200 

Planked steak or fish, holder 
for, 80 

Plants, cultivating, 267; to 
keep clean, 267; to revive, 
268; to keep moist, 269, 279 

Plaster, to put screws in, 22 

Platter, hot water, convenience 
of. 78 

Playhouse, for children, 170 

Plugs, electric, for lamps, 
toaster, etc., 17 

Plumbing, trimming, easy to 
keep clean, 20 

Pocket, on apron, 62 

Poison, to prevent, in refrige- 
rator, 134; oak, cure for, 228; 
to prevent accidents from, 
228; of cattle by laurel, 229 

Poles, in closets, 15 

Polish, floor, 69; furniture, 72 

Pongee, to launder, 173 

Poppies, to preserve after 
picking, 275 

Porcelain, to clean, 59; remov- 
ing paint, 68 

Porch, hints for, 16-17; size 
of, 16; location of, 16; use 
as^ sunparlor, 16; to insure 
privacy on, 16; installation 
of radiator, 16; floor of 
cement, 16; covering of floor, 
17; box seats installed, 17; 
furniture, 17; screens, 17; 
floor to slant, 21; finish for, 



38; decoration of, 38; sub- 
stitute for cushions, 41; 
flowers for kitchen, 273; pot- 
ted plants for, 283 

Potatoes, peeler and scraper, 
80; left-over, loi; to retain 
nourishment, no; when to 
salt, no; baking, boiling, 
frying, no, in; mashed 
potatoes, in; in planting, 
279, 280 

Pots, cleaning, 57; combina- 
tion cooking set, 95 

Preserved fruits, to prevent 
molding, 120; in filling jars, 
130 

Preserving, Flowers, Berries, 
etc., suggestions for, 275- 
277 

Preserving Foods, suggestions 
for, 98-103 

Preserving Shoes, suggestions 
for, 195-198 

Prunes, flavoring, 120 

Pulley line, installed in laundry, 
12 

Q 

Quantities, cooking in, 127 
Question box, for the children, 

164 
Quicklime, absorbs moisture, 

230 
Quilts, washing, 184 

R 

Rack, for trunks, 13 

Radiator, with warming closet, 
10; where to place, 10; with 
hot shelf, 10; installed on 
porch, 16; electric, for spring 
and fall, 96 

Radishes, to entice bugs, 181 

Rag rugs, made from old 
shades, 58; hand made, 

433 
Raisins, as nourishment, 121; 

to seed easily, 12 1 
Range, shelf near, il 



322 



Index 



Razor, keeping in condition, 
291, 292 

Recipes, loose-leaf book for, 
128 

Refrigerators, economy, of, 10; 
extra door for, 10; cooler for 
water, 78; danger of zinc, 133; 
to prevent odors, 231; to 
keep out mice, 294 

Repairs, to sewing machine, 
204; to clothing, 204; in 
delicate material, 206 

Rest, for the baby, 146; how 
to take, 217 

Rheumatism, healthful vege- 
table for, 219 

Ribbon, to remove from lin- 
gerie, 210; to wash, 183 

Rice, to whiten, 114; when 
sticks to vessel, 131 

Ring, to remove from finger, 292 

Roaches, to kill, 59; traps of 
glass, 91 

Roller towels, of old window 
shades, 58 

Rolling pin, kind to use, 83 

Roots, freedom for, 269 

Roses, tonic for, 267; ashes 
beneficial, 271; where to 
plant, 273; to keep fresh, 276 

Rubber goods, to mend, 297 

Rugs, made of scraps of cloth, 
43; made of old shades, 58; 
to rinse, 173; to prevent 
curling, 298 

Russian suits, utilizing as 
blouses, 202 

Rust, to remove from oven, 59 ; 
cleaning iron, 64, 65; to 
remove from knife, 65; to 
remove from nickel, 66; 
to prevent in fireless cooker, 
133; to remove from clothing, 
188; to test buttons for, 201 ; 
to remove from curtain 
hooks, 295 



Salad, ingredients for, 103 
Salmon, flavor for, 105 ^ 



Salsify, season for, 277 

Salt, avoid adding, to milk 
while cooking, 99; prevents 
scorching, 132; to keep dry, 

133 

Sand, to remove stain, 186 
Sandbox, for children, i68j 
Sandwiches, substitute for 
chicken, 99; utilizing left- 
overs, 100 
Sanitary Hints, 230-234; toilet 
cleanser, convenience of, 90 
Sardines, to open, 108 
Satin, to clean, 182 
Sauces, when boiling, 117 
Sausage grinder, wrench for, 

302 
Saving in Labor, Articles Ef- 
fecting, list of, 76-95 
Scalp, tonic for, 253 
Scorch, to prevent, in baking, 
132; to prevent, in ironing, 
180; to remove, from cloth- 
ing, 181 
Scratches, on wall paper, to 
hide, 37; on kid pumps, to 
mend, 196 
Screens, screened box, sub- 
stitute for refrigerator, 10; 
advantage of painting, 17; 
kind to install, 22 
Screws, to put in plaster walls, 

22 
Scurvy, to prevent, 152 
Seams, when sewing long, 207 
Seashore sand to remove stain, 

186 
Seed, extractor, convenience 
of, 82; after planting, 270; 
when to water, 270; hasten- 
ing germination, 270; should 
be marked, 271; to keep 
chickens away, 278 
Service Department, Building 

Hints for, list of, 8-12 
Service wagon, value of, 89 
Serving trays, to fit the table, 

44 , . , 

Settmg colors, suggestions for, 

199-200 

Sewing, Hints on, 200-210; 



Index 



323 



S ewing — Continued 

machine, to clean, 65, 181, 
300; machine motor, 96; 
machine, to tighten belt, 204 ; 
machine, to sharpen needle, 
207; machine, pin cushion, 
for, 210; machine, lubricat- 
ing, 300; machine, wrench, 
302 
Shade, of ground glass, how 
to make, 43; utilizing worn 
out window, 58; bracket, 
convenient^ 88; metal to 
attach to globe, 91; weak 
spring, 289 
Shampoo, how to hold baby, 
148; for oily hair, 251; recipe 
for, 252 J how to rinse, 252; 
to retain glossiness, 253; 
for gray hair, 253; for light 
hair, 254; for dark hair, 254 
Shaving compound, recipe for, 

246 
Shawls, to wash, 183 
Shears, use in kitchen, 60 
Sheet music, how to mend, 298 
Sheets, to reduce strain, 72 
Shellac, to wash, 70; advan- 
tage of, 70 
Shelves, near range, 11; in 
closets, convenience of, 15; 
on porch for flowers, 16; 
in dining room, 16; of glass, 
19; quantity of, 76 
Shirts, to utilize old, 42, 209 
Shirtwaist box, made from old 
bed, 43 ; made of cracker box, 

44 
Shoes, to make bags for, 42; 
stretcher, advantage of, 90; 
suggestions for, 195-198; 
to prolong life, 195; to clean 
russet, tan, canvas, suede, 
196; dressing for patent 
leather, 196; to mend scratch, 
196; 'dressing for, 197; water- 
proofing, 197; to keep.tongue 
m position, 197; to make 
comfortable, 197; to retard 
wear of overshoes, 198; to 
mend, 298 



Shower bath, attachable de- 
vice, 86 
Shrinking goods, method of, 

174 

Shrubbery, how to care for, 
269; substitute for, 273 

Shutters, at windows, comfort 
in, 15 

Sick-room, article on, 2 1 1-2 1 6 ; 
Hints about, 217-229; to 
keep baby away, 149; electric 
fan for cooling and warming, 
222 

Silks, to clean, 182; to remove 
grease, 188; to remove tar, 
189; to remove bloodstains, 
208 

Sill cocks, convenience of, 23 

Silver and Other Metals, hints 

on, 66-63; to remove egg 

stains, 63; to wash, 63; to 

remove tarnish, 64; clean- 

^ pan, facilitates labor, 85 

Sink, height of, 9; accessories 
for, 9; location of, 9; drain 
board for, 9; easy to clean, 
10; to free from rust, 59; 
to clean porcelain, 59, 69; 
precaution against water 
bugs, 59; to disinfect, 230 

Skin, Care of, hints on, 245- 
249; lotion for sunburn, 152; 
tonic for eruptions, 245; 
use of tissue paper, 245; 
shaving compound, 246; to 
remove tan, 246; to bleach, 
246; to prevent sunburn, 
246; to remove freckles, 247; 
to remove stain, 247, 248; 
to keep soft, 247, 249; to 
prevent potato stain, 247; 
to prevent odor of onions, 
247; to prevent roughness, 
248; repeated wetting, 248; 
to destroy effect of alkali, 
248; undue perspiration, 248, 
250; to remove tar, 248; to 
prevent scar from warts, 
249; cooling lotion, 249 

Skirt, to protect placket, 200; 
hanging circular, 200; belt 



324 



Index 



Skirt — Continued 

for, 205; to hang, 205; to 
sew on braid, 205; when 

' bands stretch, 206 

Slat doors, for ventilation, 15 

Sleep, schedule for children, 
146; danger of potions, 146; 
position for child, 147; dan- 
ger in draft, 147; when baby 
squirms, 147; berth for city 
child, 167; to induce, 219, 
225; best place to, 217 

Sliding doors, value of, 21 

Slip covers, material for, 42; 
for good dresses, 43 

Slippers, when too loose for 
feet, 206, 210 

Snaps, when sewing on ball 
and socket, 204 

Soap, bark, as cleanser, 176; 
using small pieces, 177; 
injurious, 178; for dyeing, 
200; recommended for skin, 
249; substitute for solder, 
284; for dish water, 286 

Sofa pillows, covering for, 41 ; 
filling for, 41; substitute for. 

Solder, substitute for, 284 

Soot, to remove from wood- 

( work, 66 

Soothing syrup, to induce 
sleep, 146 

Soup, to preserve, 98; to re- 
move fat, 131; thickening 
for, 131 

Speaking tube, value of, 1 1 

Spinach as tonic, 219 

Splinters, to remove, 153 

Spoons, for measurements, 84 

Sprinkling can, how to mend, 
284 

Squash, in steaming, 114; to 
raise, 280; how to plant, 280 

Squeaking, to prevent door, 
290 

Stains, to remove from wall- 
paper, 36; to remove from 
marble, 68; to remove ink 
/from carpets, 71; to remove 
ink from mahogany, 72; 



to remove from skirts, 186; 
to remove fruit, 187; to re- 
move acid, 187; to remove 
tea, coffee, and cocoa, 187; 
to remove paint, 187, 190; 
to remove grease on silk and 
velvet, 188; to remove mould 
from fabrics, 188; to remove 
rust, 188; to remove mud, 
189, 190; to remove from 
colored dress, 189; to remove 
from silk, 189; to remove 
perspiration, 190; Chinese 
plan for removing, 190; to 
remove ink, 190, 191; to 
remove blood from silk, 208 ; 
to remove ink from paper, 302 

Stairs, receptacle for over- 
shoes, 18; arrangement of, 
22; to avoid accident, 289 

Stamps, when stuck together, 
290 

Stand, correct way to, 217 

Starch, to secure smoothness, 
180; to prevent sticking, 180 

Steak, holder for planked, 80; 
when it sticks to gridiron, 
106; in choosing, 107; to 
make tender, 107; in broil- 
ing, 108 

Steam, to protect against, 62; 
cooker, convenience of, 77, 
80, 126 

Steamed vegetables, advan- 
tage of, 114 

Steel, to clean, 59 

Stenciling wallpaper, 36 

Stocking, to prevent tears, 161, 
202; to darn, 202; utilizing 
old, 301 

Stone, to remove marks from, 
68 ; to remove from peaches, 
81; jar for cooking, 131; 
dangerous to sit on, 218 

Storage room, location of, 13; 
to save cost of, 18 

Storm entrance, substitute for, 
21 

Stove, to clean, 59, 60, 64 

Strainer, for convenience when 
cooking, 79; for jelly, 82 



Index 



325 



Stretcher, curtain, convenient, 
adjustable, 90; shoe, use of, 
90 
Sumac, antidote for, 228 
Sun-bath, importance of, 253 
Sunburn, lotion for, 152; to 

prevent, 246 
Sun-parlor, pleasure in, 16 
Sunstroke, to guard against, 

218' 
Swallowing foreign object, 154 
Sweater, to wash, 183, 185; 

drying, 185 
Sweet alyssum, as a border, 274 
Sweet peas, advantage of 

planting, 273 
Swing, door, hinge for, 11 ; 

to stop squeaking, 290 
Systematic Housework, sug- 
gestions for, 46-75 



Table, hinged flap saves space, 
11; covers, 41, 42; covering 
for, 41, 42, 61, 130; to fit 
tray for cards, 44; conveni- 
ence in moving, 62; pad, 
ventilated, 89; to protect, 
130, 290; decoration, 276 

Talcum powder, to apply to 

^ baby, 148; for cards, 289 

Tan, to remove, 246 

Tape, when stitching, 208 

Tar, to remove, 189 

Tartar, to remove, 244 

Tassels, in making, 203; 

Tastes of food harmful to 
babies, 159 

Tea, kettle, to hasten boiling, 
61; pernicious habit, 157; 
stains, to take out, 187 

Teeth, Care of, hints on, 244- 
245; washes, 244; to remove 
tartar, 244; substitutes for 
powders and pastes, 245; 
danger of powder in con- 
nection with medicine, 245 

Teeth and Eyes of Children, 
hints on, 155-156; when 
baby is teething, 155; care 



of baby teeth, 155; crooked 

teeth, 155; care of six-year 

molars, 156 
Ten Health CommandmentSi 

list of, 217 
Tennis racket, caring for, 288 
Thermostat, to regulate heat, 

13 

Thread, to unravel knot, 201, 
208 ; to pull out, 209 

Throat, food lodged in, 223; 
gargle for sore, 226, 227; 
application for sore, 227 

Tickling the baby, 150; perni- 
cious habit, 150; to avoid, 
220 

Tiling for bathroom and kit- 
chen, 20 

Tin, to clean, 65 

Tinting wall paper, suggestion 
for, 35 

Tissue paper, use for, 58 

Toast, when burned, loi; 
device for making, 94, 127 

Tobacco stain, removing, 65 

Toilet, for maid and laundress, 
13; for guests, 20; sanitary 
cleanser, 90; disinfectant for, 
230 

Tomatoes, to remove skin, 
112; when frying, 112; bene- 
ficial to health, 219; to start 
plants, 278 

Tonics, in applying to hair, 
253 ; for roses and geraniums, 
267 

Toothache, remedy for, 217 

Tooth paste, danger when 
used with medicine, 245 

Toothpicks, for testing cakes, 
etc., 129 

Towels, dish, material for, 42, 
57; laundering, 172 

Training plants, 284 

Transoms, advantage of, 19 

Trap, roach, of glass, 91 

Traveling, bed for baby, 168; 
convenient case for, 299; 
to keep clothing fresh, 299; 
use of large envelopes, 299; 
use for candle, 299 



3^6 



Index 



Trays, for card table, 44 

Treatment of the Body, arti- 
cle on, 235-244 

Trunks, rack for storing, 13 

Tube for drinking water, 226 

Tuberoses, when to plant, 271; 
how to cultivate, 271 

Tubs, height of, 9; number 
of, for laundry, 12; covering 
for, 61; cleaning, 68 

Tubular flashlight, conveni- 
ence of, 93 

Tulips, grouping with other 
flowers, 272; to keep, for 
table decoration, 276 

Tumblers, to render durable, 
296 

Tungsten lamp, of low candle 
power, 93; to mend, 296 

Turnips, how to plant, 277 

Twine, saving, 288 

Typewriter, making carbon 
copies of letters, 288; effi- 
cient work of, 300 

U 

Umbrella, to mend, 298 ; clos- 
ing, 299; to avoid breaking 
stand, 299; to prevent rust, 
299 
Underwear, best for baby, 160 
Utensils, value of aluminum, 
79; list of various kinds, 
75-96; to clean, 80 



Vacuum cleaner, use for, 95 
Varnish, to clean surface of, 
67, 68; value on floor cover- 
ing, 70 
Vegetables, to cook, 110-114; 
to destroy odors, 125; re- 
ceptacle for, 127; cooking in 
quantities, 127 
Veils, renovating, 195 
Velvet, to restore, 175, 176 
Ventilated table pad, value of, 
89 



Ventilation, cross windows for, 
12,19; transoms affording, 
19; value of casement win- 
dows, 19; in sick-room, 221; 
of hair, 253 
Verbenas, advantage of plant- 
ing, 272 
View, from dining-room, 11 
Violets, how to plant, 272 
Visiting, article on, 255-259 

W 

Wagon, for dining-room ser- 
vice, 89 

Waists, for children, 163; to 
remake, 201 

Walk, manner of, 217 

Wall-paper, Woodwork, Dra- 
peries, etc., hints about, 35- 
45; to tint, 35; to hide stain, 
36; stenciling in colors, 36; 
novel way of using border, 
36; judging tones, 37; to 
hide scratch, 37; to remove, 
37; to clean, 38 

Walls, to put screws in plaster, 
22; to prevent scratching, 
39, 289 

Walnut furniture, to clean, 72 

Washing, machine for, ' value 
of, 86; clothes, hints on, 
176, 177, 178 

Water, pipes covered to save 
heat, 12; heater, instanta- 
neous, value of, 13; bugs, to 
kill, 59; bugs, precaution 
against, 59; platter, 78; still, 
for home use, 85; bottle for 
holding hot, 96; to test heat 
of, 96; to heat dishes, 133; 
inducing children to drink, 
170; softening hard, 176; 
rain water for washing, 176; 
amount taken into system, 
222; for invalids, 224; to 
clear, 231, 285, 295; for 
plants, 267, 269; to prevent 
running out of flower boxes, 
270; how to put on seeds, 
.1270 



Index 



327 



Watermelon, to preserve, 100; 
to rerdove stain of, 187 

Weather stripping, economy 
of metal, 21; value of, felt, 
21 

Weeds, to kill, 282 

Weight, of baby, 166; proper, 
217 

When Building a House, arti- 
cle on, 1-7 

Whistle, for calling children, 
166 

Wicker furniture, to clean, 75 

Windows and Mirrors, hints 
about, 62-63 

Windows, advantage of cross, 
12, 19; iron bars for safety, 
14; screens for, 17, 22; tran- 
soms, for, 19; value of case- 
ment, 19; advantage of 
large panes, 19; effect of 
French, 22; in coat closet, 
23; utilizing old shades, 58; 
sills, to clean stone, 68; in 



sick-room, 221; shield for, 
222; boxes for flowers, 269; 
to prevent rattling, 290, 291 

Woodwork and Marble, hints 
on, 66-69 

Woodwork, effect of light, 38; 
finish of, 38; for porch, 38; 
removing soot from, 66; 
to take off marks, 66; clean- 
ing, 67 

Woolens, to clean, 182, 183 

Worry, injurious to health, 217 



Yeast, to preserve, 102; in 
baking with compressed, 123 



Zinc, to clean, 65; lining for 
refrigerator, 133 



r 



